WORKS 


O  F 


JOHN  WOOLMAN. 


IN   TWO  PARTS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

Printed  by  JOSEPH  CRUKSHANK,  in  Market- 
Street,  BETWEEN  Second  AND  Third  Streets. 


M.  DCC.  LXXIV. 


v 


THE 


TESTIMONY 

O  F 

FRIENDS  IN  YORKSHIRE, 

At  their  Quarterly- Meeting,  held  at  York  the  24th  and  25th  of 
the  third  month y  1773,  concerning 

JOHN  WOOLMAN, 

Of  Mount-Holly^  in  the  province  of  Ne^-Jerfey 
in  America^  nvho  departed  this  life  at  the 
houfe  of  our  friend  Thomas  Prieftman^  in 
the  fuburbs  of  this  city^  the  ydi  of  the  tenth 
months  ^77^5  '^^^^  zw/m'i^^  in  the  biiry-- 
ing  ground  of  f  iends  the  9tli  of  the  fame^ 
aged  about  fifty  two  years. 

HIS  our  valuable  friend  having  been 
Jl^  under  a  religious  engagement  for  fome 
time,  to  vifit  friends  in  this  nation,  and  more 
cfpecially  us  in  the  northern  parts,  under- 
took the  fame  in  full  concurrence  and  near 
fympathy  with  his  friends  and  brethren  at 
home,  as  appeared  by  certificates  from  the 
monthly  and  quarterly  meetings  to  wrhich  he 
belonged,  and  from  the  fpring-meeting  of 
minifters  and  elders,  held  at  Philadelphia, 
for  Pennfylvania  and  New-Jerfey. 

A  2  He 


-jxjErle  arrived  rm  of  London  the  be- 

ginning of  the  laft  yearly  meeting,  and  after 
attending  that  meeting  travelled  northward, 
vifiting  the  quarterly  meetings  of  Hertford- 
fliire,  Buckinghamfhire,  Northamptonfliire, 
Oxfordfhire  and  Worcefterfliire,  and  divers 
particular  meetings  in  his  way. 

He  vifited  many  meetings  on  the  Weft  fide 
of  this  county,  alfo  fome  in  Lancafhire  and 
Weftmoreland,  from  whence  he  came  to  our 
quarterly  meeting  in  the  laft  ninth  month,, 
and  though  much  out  of  health,  yet  was  en- 
abled to  attend  all  the  fittings  of  that  meet- 
ing except  the  laft. 

His  diforder  then,  which  proved  the  fmall 
pox,  increafed  fpeedily  upon  him,  and  was 
very  affliifhing ;  under  w^hich  he  was  fupport- 
ed  in  much  meeknefs,  patience,  and  chrifti- 
an  fortitude  ;  to  thofe  who  attended  him  in 
his  illuefs,  his  mind  appeared  to  be  centered 
in  divine  love ;  under  the  precious  influence 
whereof,  we  believe  he  finiflied  his  courfe, 
and  entered  into  the  manfions  of  everlafting 
reft. 

'  In  the  early  part  of  his  illnefs  he  requefted 
a  friend  to  write,  and  he  broke  forth  thus. 

"  O  Lord  my  God  !  the  amazing  horrors 
of  darknefs  were  gathered  around  me  and  co- 
vered me  all  over,  and  I  faw  no  way  to  go 
forth  ;  I  felt  the  mifery  of  my  feilov/  crea- 
tures feparated  from  the  divine  harmony  and 
it  was  heavier  than  I  could  bear,  and  I  v/as 
cruftied  down  under  it ;  I  lifted  up  my  hand, 
and  ftretched  out  my  arm,  but  there  was 

was 


I  ^  ] 

none  to  help  me;  I  looked  round  about  and 
was  amazed  :  in  the  depths  of  mifery,  O 
Lord !  I  remembered  that  thou  art  omnipo-- 
tent,  that  I  had  called  thee  father,  and  I  felt 
that  I  loved  thee,  and  I  was  made  quiet  m 
thy  will,  and  I  waited  for  deliverance  from 
thee  ;  thou  hadft  pity  upon  me,  when  no  man 
CT)uld  help  me  ;  I  faw  that  meebnefs  under 
fuffering  was  fliewed  to  us  in  the  moft  affecl-- 
ing  example  of  thy  fon,  and  thou  waft  teach- 
ing me  to  follow  him,  and  I  faid,  thy  Will, 
O  Father  be  done." 

Many  more  of  his  weighty  expreffions 
might  have  been  inferted  here,  but  it  Vt^as 
deemed  unneceflary,  they  being  already  pub- 
liflied  in  print. 

He  was  a  man  endued  with  a  large  natural 
capacity,  and  being  obedient  to  the  mani- 
feftations  of  Divine  Grace,  having  in  patience 
and  humility  endured  many  deep  baptifms, 
he  became  thereby  fandlified  and  fitted  for 
the  Lord's  work,  and  was  truly  ferviceable 
in  his  church  ;  dwelling  in  awful  fear  and 
watchfulnefs,  he  v/as  careful  in  his  public 
appearances  to  feel  the  putting  forth  of  the 
Divine  Hand,  fo  that  the  fpring  of  the  gofpel 
miniftry  often  flowed  through  him  with  great 
fweetnefs  and  purity,  as  a  refreihing  flream 
to  the  weary  travellers  towards  the  city  of 
God :  fldlfull  in  dividing  the  word,  he  vxras 
furniflied  by  Him  in  whom  are  hid  all  the 
treafures  of  wifdom  and  knowledge,  to  com- 
municate freely  to  the  feveral  ftates  of  the 

people 


r  vi  5 

i^cbple  where  his  lot  was  caft.  His  condu6l 
at  other  times  was  feafbiied  with  the  hke 
watchful  circumlpedlion  and  attention  to  the 
guidance  of  Divine  Wifdom,  which  rendered 
his  whole  convcrfation  uniformly  edifying. 
\  He  was  fully  pcrfuadcd  that  as  the  life  of 
Chrift  comes  to  reign  in  the  earth,  all  abufe 
and  unnecefiary  oppreiTion,  both  of  the  hu- 
man and  brute  creation  will  come  to  an  end  ; 
^but  under  the  ienfe  of  a  deep  revolt,  and  an 
overflowing  ftream  of  imrighteoufnefs,  his 
life  has  been  often  a  life  of  mouruing^ 

He  Vv^as  deeply  concerned  on  account  of 
that  inhuro.an  and  iniquitous  practice  of 
making  flaves  qf  the  people  of  Africa,  or 
holding  them  in  that  ftate  ;  and  on  that  ac- 
'  'count  we  undeiitand  he  •  ath  not  only  wrote 
fome  books,  but  travelled  much  on  the  cour- 
tinent  of  America,  in  order  to  make  the  Ne- 
gro mafters  (efpecially  thofe  in  profeiTion  with 
Xis)  fenfible  of  the  evil  of  fuch  a  pradtice  ;  and 
though  in  this  journey  to  England,  he  was 
far  removed  from  the  outward  fight  of  their 
fufFerings,  yet  his  deep  exercife  of  mind  re- 
mained, as  appears  by  a  ihort  treatife  h^ 
wrote  in  this  journey,  and  his  frequent  con- 
cern to  open  the  miferable  ftate  of  this  deep- 
ly injured  people  :  his  teftimony  in  the  laft 
meeting  he  attended  was  on  this  fubje6l, 
wherein  he  remarked,  that  as  we  as  a  fociety, 
-when  under  outward  fufFerings  had  often 
found  it  our  concern  to  lay  them  before  thofe 
in  authority,  and  thereby  in  the  Lord's  time, 

had 


t    vii  I 

had  obtained  relief,  fo  he  recommended  this 
opprefled  part  of  the  creation  to  our  notice, 
that  we  may  as  way  may  open,  reprefent 
their  fufFerings  in  an  individual,  if  not  a  fo- 
ciety,  capacity  to  thofe  in  authority. 

Deeply  fenfible  that  the  defire  to  gratify 
people's  inclinations  in  luxury  and  fuperflui- 
ties,  is  the  principal  ground  of  oppreffion, 
and  the  occafion  of  many  unneceffary  wants^ 
he  believed  it  to  be  his  duty  to  be  a  pattern 
of  great  felf-denial,  with  refped:  to  the  things 
of  this  life,  and  earneftly  to  labour  with 
friends  in  the  meeknefs  of  wifdom,  to  im- 
prefs  on  their  minds  the  great  importance  of 
our  teftimony  in  thefe  things,  recommending 
to  the  guidance  of  the  blefled  Truth  in  this 
and  all  other  concerns,  and  cautioning  fuch 
as  are  experienced  therein,  againli  contenting 
themfelves  with  a6ling  up  to  the  ftandard  of 
others,  but  to  be  careful  to  make  the  (land- 
ard  of  truth  manifefted  to  them,  the  meafure 
of  their  obedience  ;  for  faid  he,  ^'  That  pu- 
rity of  Hfe  which  proceeds  from  faithfulnefs 
in  following  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  that  ftate 
where  our  minds  are  devoted  to  ferve  God, 
and  all  our  wants  are  bounded  by  his  wif- 
dom ;  this  habitation  has  often  been  opened 
before  me  as  a  place  of  retirement  for  the 
children  of  the  light,  where  they  may  ftand 
feparated  from  that  which  difordereth  and 
confufeth  the  affiiirs  of  fociety,  and  where  we 
may  have  a  teftimony  of  our  innocence  in  tho 
hearts  of  thofe  v/ho  behold  us." 


[  viii  ] 

We  conckide  with  fervent  defires,  that  we 
as  a  people  may  thus,  by  our  example,  pro- 
mote the  .Lord's  work  in  the  earth ;  and  our 
hearts  being  prepared,  may  unite  in  prayer 
to  the  great  Lord  of  the  harveft,  that  as  iij 
his  infinite  wifdom  he  hath  greatly  ftripped 
the  church,  by  removing  of  late  divers  faith- 
ful minillers  and  elders,  he  may  be  pleafed. 
to  fend  forth  many  more  faithful  labourers 
into  his  harveft. 

Signed  in,  by  qrdcvy  and  on  behalf  of 
/aid  meeting. 

Thomas  ^ennitt^  Samuel  Brifcpe^ 

John  Storr,  John  Turner, 

Jofeph  Eglin,  Jojhua  Robinfony 

Thornas  Parkinfon,  Thomas  Priejiman,  an4 

Jofefyh  W  right y  divers  other  Friends^ 


T  E  S  T  I  M  O  N  Y 


O  F  T  H  E 

MONTHLY-MEETING  of  FRIENDS, 

Held  in  Burlington,  fhe  firjl  day  of  the  eighth  months  in  the  year  pf 
our  Lord,  1 7 74,  concerning  our  ejieemed  friend, 

JOHN    W  O  O  L  M  A  N,  peceasedw 

HE  was  bom  in  Northampton,  in  the 
county  of  Burlington,  and  province  of 
Wefl-Nevf-Jerfey,  in  the  eighth  month,  1720, 
of  rehgious  parents,  who  inftrudled  him  very 
early  in  the  principles  of  the  chriftian  religi^ 
on,  as  profeffed  by  the  people  called  Quakers^ 
which  he  efteemed  a  blefling  to  him,  even  in 
his  young  years,  tending  to  prefer ve  him 
from  the  infection  of  wicked  children  j  but 
through  the  workings  of  the  enemy,  and  le- 
vity incident  to  youth,  he  frequently  deviated 
from  thofe  parental  precepts,  by  which  he 
laid  a  renewed  foundation  for  repentance, 
that  was  finally  fucceeded  by  a  godly  forrow 
not  to  be  repented  of,  and  fo  became  ac- 
quainted with  that  fandlifying  power  which, 
qualifies  for  true  gofpel  miniftry,  into  which 
he  was  called  about  the  twenty-fecond  year 
of  his  age,  and  by  a  faithful  ufe  of  the  ta^ 
lents  committed  to  him,  he  expeiienced  an 
encreafe,  ijatil  he  arrived  at  the  ftate  of  a  fa- 


r  ^  1 


ther,  capable  6f  dividing  the  word  aright  to 
the  dilTereat  ftates  he  miniflered  unto  ;  dif- 
penfing  milk  to  babes,  and  meat  to  thofe  of 
riper  years.  Thus  he  found  the  efScacy  of 
that  power  to  arife,  which  in  his  own  ex- 
preffions,  prepares  the  creature  to  ftand 
like  a  trumpet  through  which  the  Lord  fpeaks 
,  to  his  people."- — ^He  was  a  loving  hufband,  a 
tender  fiither,  and  very  humane  to  every 
part  of  the  creation  under  his  care. 

His  concern  for  the  poor  and  thofe  in  af- 
fliclion  was  evident  by  his  viiits  to  them  ; 
whom  he  frequently  relieved  by  his  affifttince 
and  charity.  He  was  for  many  years  deeply 
exercifed  on  account  of  the  poor  enilaved  A- 
fricans,  whofe  caufe,  as  he  fometimes  men- 
tioned, lay  almpft  continually  upon  him, 
and  to  obtain  liberty  to  thofe  captives,  he  la- 
boured both  in  public  and  private  ;  and  was 
favoured  to  fee  his  endeavours  crovvmed  with 
confiderable  fuccefs.  He  was  particularly 
deiirous  that  friends  fliould  not  be  inflru- 
mental  to  lay  burthens  on  this  oppi^eiied  peo- 
ple, but  remember  the  days  of  faffering  from 
which  they  had  been  providentially  delivered, 
th  It  if  times  of  trouble  iliould  return,  fio  iuT 
judice  dealt  to  thofe  in  flavery  might  rife  in 
judgment  againfh  us,  but,  being  clear,  we 
might  on  fuch  occaiions  addrefs  the  i^lmigh- 
ty  with  a  degree  of  confidence,  for  his  inter- 
pofitiou  and  relief,  being  particularly  careful 
as  to  himfeif,  not  to  countenance  flavery 
even  by  the  ufe  of  thofe  conveniencies  of  life 
which  were  furniihed  by  their  labour. 

He 


[     xi  ] 

He  was  defirovis  to  have  his  own,  and  thtf 
minds  of  others,  redeemed  from  the  pleafures 
and  immoderate  profits  of  this  world,  and  to 
fix  them  on  thofe  joys  which  fade  not  away  ; 
his  principal  care  being  after  a  life  of  purity  , 
endeavouring  to  avoid  not  only  the  grolTer 
pollutions,  but  thofe  alfo  which,  appearing 
in  a  more  refined  drefs,  are  not  fufficientiy 
guarded  againft  by  fome  well  difpofed  peo^ 
pie.  In  the  latter  part  of  his  life  he  was  re- 
markable for  the  plainnefs  and  fimplicity  of 
his  drefs,  and  as  much  as  poffible,  avoided 
the  ufe  of  plate,  coftly  furniture  and  feafting  ; 
thereby  endeavouring  to  become  an  example 
of  temperance  and  felf-denial,  which  he  be- 
lieved himfelf  called  unto  ;  and  w^as  favour- 
ed with  peace  therein,  altho*  it  carried  the 
appearance  of  great  aufterity  in  the  view  of 
fome.  He  was  very  moderate  in  his  charges 
in  the  way  of  bufinefs,  and  in  his  defires  af^ 
ter  gain  ;  and  tho'  a  man  of  induftry,  avoid- 
ed, and  ftrove  much  to  lead  others  out  of  ex- 
treme labour,  and  anxioufiiefs  after  perilhabie 
things ;  being  defirous  that  the  ftrength  of 
.our  bodies  might  not  be  fpent  in  procuring 
^things  unprofitable,  and  that  we  might  ufe 
moderation  and  kindnefs  to  the  brute  animals 
under  our  care,  to  prize  the  ufe  of  them  as  a 
great  favour,  and  by  no  means  abufe  them  ; 
that  the  gifts  of  Providence  Ihould  be'  thank- 
fully received  and  applied  to  the  ufes  they 
were  defigned. 

He  feveral  times  opened  a  fchool  at  Mount- 
Jiolly,  for  the  inftrud;ion  of  poof  frienqiy; 

children 


[  ] 


rfiildren  and  others,  being  concerned  for  their 
iielp  and  improv'ement  therein : — his  love  and 
care  for  the  riling  youth  among  us  was  truly 
;great,  recommending  to  parents  and  thofe 
,v/ho  have  the  charge  of  them,  to  chufe  con- 
'fcientidus  and  pious  tutors,  faying,  It  is  a 
lovely  fight  to  behold  innocent  children,"  and 
that  to  labour  for  their  help  againft  that 
•which  would  marr  the  beauty  of  their  minds, 
isa  debt  we  owe  them/' 

His  miniftry  was  found,  very  deep  and  pe- 
jietrating,  fometirnes  pointing  otit  the  dan- 
gerous fituation  which  indulgence  and  euf- 
torn  leads  into  ;  frequently  exhorting  others, 
-efpecially  the  youth,  not  to  be  difcouraged 
at  the  difficulties  which  occur,  but  prefs  after 
purity.  He  often  exprefTed  an  earneft  en- 
gagement that  pure  ivi/dom  Ihould  be  attend- 
ed to,  which  would  lead  into  lowlinefs  of 
mind  and  refignation  to  the  divine  will,  in 
which  Hate  ftnall  poITeffions  here  would  be 
fufficient. 

In  tranfadling  the  affi^irs  of  difcipline,  his 
judgment  was  found  and  clear,  and  he  was 
very  ufeful  in  treating  with  thofe  who  had 
done  amifs  ;  he  '  vifited  fuch  in  a  private 
way  in  that  plainnefs  which  truth  dictates, 
fliewing  great  tendernefs  and  chriftian  for- 
bearance. He  was  a  conftant  attender  of  our 
yearly-meeting,  in  which  he  was  a  good  ex- 
ample, and  particularly  ufeful ;  affiftihg  in 
the  bufinefs  thereof  with  great  weight  and  at- 
tention. He  f'veral  times  vifited  moft  of  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  this  and  the  neigh- 
bouring 


bouring  provinces,  with  tlie  concurrence  of' 
the  monthly-meeting  to  v/hich  he  belonged, 
and  we  have  reafon  to  believe  had  good  fer- 
vice  therein,  generally  or  always  expreffing 
at  his  return  how  it  had  fared  with  him,  and 
the  evidence  of  peace  inJiis  mind  for  thus 
performing  his  duty.  He  was  often  concern- 
ed With  other  friends  in  the  important  fervice 
of  viliting  families,  which  he  was  enabled  to 
go  through  to  fatisfacflion. 

In  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  minifters 
and  elders  for  this  quarter,  at  the  foot  of  a 
lift  of  the  members  of  that  meeting,  made 
about  five  years  before  his  death,  we  find  in 
his  hand  writing  the  following  obfervation 
and  refleclions.  As  looking  over  the  mi- 
nutes made  by  perfons  who  have  put  off  this 
body,  hath  fometimes  revived  in  me  a  thought 
how  ages  pafs  away  ;  fo  this  lift  may  proba- 
bly revive  a  like  thought  in  fome,  when  I  and 
the  reft  of  the  perfons  abovenamed,  are  cen- 
tered in  another  ftate  of  being. — ^The  Lord, 
who  was  the  guide  of  my  youth,  hath  in  ten- 
der mercies  helped  me  hitherto  ;  he  hath 
healed  me  of  wounds,  he  hath  helped  me  out 
of  grievous  entanglements  ;  he  remains  to  be 
the  ftrength  of  my  life ;  to  whom  I  defire  to 
devote  my felf  in  time,  and  in  eternity."— 
Signed^  John  Woolman. 

In  the  twelfth  month,  1771,  he  acquaint- 
ed this  meeting  that  he  found  his  mind  drawn 
towards  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  fome 
parts  of  England,  particularly  in  Yorklhire. 
In  the  firft  month  1772,  he  obtained  our  cer- 
tificate, which  was  approved  and  endorfed  by 

our 


[    xiv  ] 

6ur  quarterly  meeting,  and  by  the  half  yearns 
meeting  of  minifters  and  elders  at  Philadel- 
phia. He  embarked  on  his  voyage  in  the 
fifth,  and  arrived  in  London  in  the  fixth 
month  following,  at  the  time  of  their  annual 
meeting  in  that  city.  During  his  Ihort  vifit 
to  friends  in  that  kingdom,  we  are  informed 
that  his  fervices  were  acceptable  and  edifying. 
In  his  lafl  illnefs  he  uttered  many  lively  and 
comfortable  expreffions,  being  perfedlly 
refigned,  having  no  will  either  to  live  or  die,'* 
as  appears  by  the  teflimony  of  friends  at  York 
in  Great-Britain,  in  the  fuburbs  whereof,  at 
the  houfe  of  our  friend  Thomas  Prieftman,  he 
died  of  the  fmall-pox,  on  the  feventh  day  of 
the  tenth  month,  1772,  and  was  buried  in 
friends  burying  ground  in  that  city,  on  the 
ninth  of  the  fame,  after  a  large  and  folid 
meeting  held  on  the  occafion,  at  their  great 
meeting-houfe,  aged  near  fifty-two  years  ;  a 
minifter  upwards  of  thirty  years,  during 
which  tune  he  belonged  to  Mount-Holly 
particular  meeting,  which  he  diligently  at- 
tended when  at  home  and  in  health  of  body, 
and  his  labours  of  love  and  pious  care  for  the 
profperity  of  friends  in  the  bleffed  truth,  wc  . 
hope  may  not  be  forgotten,  but  that  his  good 
works  may  be  remembered  to  edification. 

Signed  in,  and  by  order  of  the  Jaid  meetings  by 

Samuel  Allinson,  C/^n(% - 

Read  and  approved  at  our  quarterly-meet- 
ing, held  at  Burlington  the  29th  of  the  8  th 
mouthy  ^774- 

Signed  by  order  offaid  meetings 

Daniel  Smith,  CkrL 


A 

JOURNAL 

OF  THE 

LIFE,  GOSPEL  LABOURS, 

AND 

CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCES 

OF  THAT 

FAITHFUL  MINISTER 
of 

JESUS  CHRIST, 

JOHN   W  O  O  L  M  A  N, 

Late  of  M  o  1?  N  T  -  H  o  L  L      in  the  Pi'ovince  of 


Isaiah  xxxii,  17. 

Tie  nvork  of  righteoufnefs  /hall  he  peace  :  and  the  effeSi  of  righteouf^ 
nefsy  quietnefs  and  ajfurance  for  ever^ 


PHILADELPHIA: 

printed  by  Joseph  Crukshank,  in  Market-Street,  betweei:^ 
Second  and  Third  Streets, 


A 

JOURNAL 

OF  THE 

LIFE     AJ^D  TRAVELS 

OF 

JOHN  WOOLMAN, 

In  the  Service  of  the  Gospel* 


CHAP.  I. 

His  hirth  and  parentage^  ivith  fome  account  of 
the  operations  of  divine  grace  on  his  mind  in 
his  youth  —  His  firfl  appearance  in  the  mini-^ 
firy  ^  And  his  confiderations^  ivhik  youngs 
on  the  keeping  of  Jlaves^ 

I HAVE  often  felt  a  motion  of  love 
to  leave  fome  hints  in  writing  of  my  ex- 
perience of  the  goodnefs  of  God:  and 
How,  in  the  thirty-fixth  year  of  my  age,  I 
begin  this  work. 

I  was  born  in  Northampton,  in  Burling- 
ton comity,  Weft-Jerfey,  in  the  Year  1720; 
and  before  I  was  feven  years  old  I  began  to 

B  be 


i      The  life  and  TRAVELS 


be  acquainted  with  the  operations  of  divine 
love.  Through  the  care  of  my  parents,  I  was 
taught  to  read  near  as  foon  as  I  w^as  capable 
of  it ;  and  as  I  went  from  fchool  one  feventh 
day,  I  remember,  vvdiile  my  companidns  went 
to  play  by  the  vv^ay,  I  went  forward  out  of 
fight,  and  fitting  down,  I  read  the  2 2d  chap- 
ter of  the  Revelations.  He  fliewed  me  a 
pure  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as  chry- 
ftal,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God 
and  of  the  Lamb,  &c."  and  in  reading 
it,  my  mind  was  drawn  to  feek  after  that 
pure  habitation,  which,  I  then  believed,  God 
had  prepared  for  his  fervants.  The  place 
where  I  fate,  and  the  fweetiiefs  that  a;t:tended 
my  mind,  remains  frefh  in  my  memory. 

This,  and  the  like  gracious  vifitations,  had 
that  efFe(5i  upon  me,  that  when  boys  ufed 
ill  language,  it  troubled  me  ;  and,  through 
the  continued  mercies  of  God,  I  was  pre- 
jferved  from  it. 

The  pious  inflru6lions  of  my  parents  were 
often  freili  in  my  mind  when  I  happened  to  be 
among  wicked  children,  and  v/ere  of  ufe  to  me. 
My  parents,  having  alargefariiily  of  children, 
ufed  frequently,  on  firfl  days  after  meeting, 
to  put  us  to  read  in  the  holy  fcriptures,  or 
Ibme  religious  books,  one  after  another,  the 
reli  fitting  by  without  much  converfetion ; 
■which,  I  have  fiiice  ofteil  thought,  i\^as  a  good 
pradlice.  From  what  I  had  fead  ariA  heard, 
I  belie^/ed  there  had  been,  in  paft  ages,  peo- 
ple who  walked  in  uprightnefs  before  God, 
in  a  degree  exceeding  any  that  I  kn-ew,  or 

heard 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  3 


heard  of,  now  living  :  and  the  apprehenfion 
of  there  being  lefs  fteadinef&  and  firmnefs 
amongft  people  in  this  age  than  in  paft  ages, 
often  troubled  me  while  I  was  a  child, 

A  thing  remarkable  in  my  childhood  was, 
that  once  going  to  a  neighbour's  houfe, 
I  faw,  on  the  way,  a  robin  fitting  on  her 
neft,  and  as  I  came  near  fhe  went  off,  but 
having  young  ones  flew  about,  and  with 
many  cries  expreffed  her  concern  for  them  ; 
I  flood  and  threw  ftones  at  her,  till  one  flrik- 
ing  her,  flie  fell  down  dead :  at  firft  I  was 
pleafed  with  the  exploit,  but  after  a  few  mi- 
nutes was  feized  with  horror,  as  having,  in 
a  fportive  way,  killed  an  innocent  creature 
while^  fhe  was  careful  for  her  young  :  I  be- 
held her  lying  dead,  and  thought  thofe  young 
ones,  for  which  fhe  was  fo  careful,  mult  now 
periili  for  want  of  their  dam  to  nourifli  them  ; 
and  after  fome  painful  confiderations  on  the 
fubje6l,  I  climbed  up  the  tree,  took  all  the 
young  birds,  and  killed  them;  flippofing  that 
better  than  to  leave  them  to  pine  away  and 
die  miferably  :  and  believed,  in  this  cafe, 
that  fcripture  proverb  was  fulfilled,  The 

tender  mercies  of  the  wicked  are  cruel/'  I 
then  went  on  my  errand,  but,  for  fbme 
hours,  could  think  of  little  elfe  but  the  cru- 
elties I  had  committed,  and  vvas  much  trou- 
bled. Thus  He,  whofe  tender  mercies  are 
over  all  his  vrorks,  hath  placed  a  principle" 
in  the  human  mind,  which  incites  to  exer- 
cife  goodnefs  towards  every  living  creature  ; 
and  this  being  fingiy  attended  to,  people 

B  ^  be- 


4     The   LIFE   and  TRAVELS 


become  tender-hearted  and  fympathizing  j 
but  being  frec;uently  and  totally  rejedted,  the 
mind  becomes  Ihut  up  in  a  contrary  difpo- 
iition. 

About  the  twelfth  year  of  my  age,  my 
father  being  abroad,  my  mother  reproved 
me  for  fome  mifconduft,  to  which  I  made 
an  undutiful  reply  ;  and  the  next  firll  day, 
as  I  was  with  my  father  returning  from 
meeting,  he  told  me  he  underflood  I  had 
behaved  amiis  to  my  mother,  and  advifed 
me  to  be  more  careful  in  future*  I  knew 
myfelf  blameable,  and  in  ihame  and  confu- 
lion  remained  iilent.  Being  thus  awakened 
to  a  fenfe  of  my  wickednels,  I  felt  remorfe 
in  my  mind,  and  getting  home,  I  retired  and 
prayed  to  the  Lord  to  forgive  me ;  and  do 
not  remember  that  I  ever,  after  that,  fpoke 
unhandfomely  to  either  of  my  parents,  how- 
ever foolifh  in  fome  other  things. 

Having  attained  the  age  of  fixteen  years, 
1  began  to  love  wanton  company  ;  and  though 
I  Vv^as  preferved  from  profane  language,  or 
icandalous  conducfi:,  ftill  I  perceived  a  plant  in 
me  which  produced  much  wild  gra.pes :  yet  my 
merciful  Father  forfook  me  not  utterly,  but 
at  times,  through  his  grace,  I  was  brought 
lerioufly  to  coniider  my  ways  ;  and  the  fight 
of  my  backfiidings  afFecfLcd  me  with  forrow; 
but  for  vv^ant  of  rightly  attending  to  the  re- 
proofs of  inftrud:ion,  vanity  was  added  to 
vanity,  and  repentance  to  repentance :  upon 
the  v/liole,  my  mind  was  more  and  more  ali- 
enated from  the  truth,  and  I  haflened  to- 
ward 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  5 

ward  deflrudlion.  While  I  meditate  on  tlie 
gulf  towards  which  I  travelled,  and  reiiecl 
on  my  yonthful  difobedience,  for  thefe  things 
I  weep,  mine  eye  rmmeth  down  with  water. 
Advancing  in  age  the  nmiiber  of  my  ac- 
quaintance increaled,  and  thereby  my  way 
grew  more  difficult :  though  I  had  found 
comfort  in  reading  the  holy  fcriptures^  and 
thinking  on  heavenly  things,  I  v/as  now 
eftranged  therefrom  :  I  kn^'^v  I  was  going 
from  the  flock  of  Clirift,  and  had  no  refolu- 
tion  to  return ;  hence  ferious  reflexions  were 
uneafy  to  me,  and  youthful  vptnities  and  di- 
verflons  my  greateft  pleafure.  Running  in 
this  road  I  found  many  like  myfelf ;  and  wc 
aflbciated  in  that  which  is  reverie  to  true 
friendfliip. 

But  in  this  fwift  race  it  pleafed  God  to  vi- 
fit  me  with  ilcknefs,  fo  that  I  doubted  of 
recovering  ;  and  then  did  darkncis,  horror, 
and  amazement,  with  full  force,  feize  mc, 
even  when  my  pain  and  diftrefs  of  body  w  as 
very  great.  I  thought  it  would  have  been 
better  for  me  never  to  have  had  a  being,  than 
to  fee  the  day  which  I  now  faw.  I  was  filled 
with  confuiion  ;  and  in  great  affliflion,  both 
of  mind  and  body,  1  lay  and  bewailed  my- 
felf. I  had  not  confidence  to  lift  up  my  cries 
to  God,  whom  I  had  thus  offended  ;  but,  in 
a  deep  fenfe  of  my  great  folly,  I  was  linni- 
bled  before  him :  and,  at  length,  that  Word 
w^hich  is  as  a  fire  cind  a  hammer,  broke  and 
difiblved  my  rebellious  heart,  and  then  my 
cries  were  put  up  in  contrition  j  and  in  the 

multi'- 


6 


The  life  and  TRAVELS 


multitude  of  his  mercies  I  found  inward  re- 
lief, and  felt  a  clofe  engagement,  that  if  he 
was  pleafed  to  reftore  my  health,  I  might 
w^alk  humbly  before  him. 

After  my  recovery,  this  exercife  remained 
with  me  a  confiderable  time ;  but,  by  de- 
grees, giving  way  to  youthful  vanities,  they 
<jained  ftrength,  and  getting  with  wanton 
young  people  I  loft  ground.  The  Lord  had 
been  very  gracious,  and  fpoke  peace  to  me 
in  the  time  of  my  diftrefs  ;  and  I  now  moft 
ungratefully  turned  again  to  folly  ;  on  which 
account,  at  times,  I  felt  fharp  reproof,  but 
did  not  get  low  enough  to  cry  for  help.  I 
v/as  not  fo  hardy  as  to  commit  things  fcan- 
dalous  ;  but  to  exceed  in  vanity,  and  pro- 
mote mirth,  was  my  chief  ftudy.  Still  I  re- 
tained a  love  and  efteem  for  pious  people ; 
and  their  company  brought  an  awe  upon  me. 
My  dear  parents,  fever al  times,  admoniflied 
ms  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  their  ad- 
monition entered  into  my  heart,  and  had  a 
good  effect  for  a  feafon  ;  but  not  getting 
deep  enough  to  pray  rightly,  the  tempter, 
v/hen  he  came,  found  entrance.  I  remem- 
ber, once  having  fpent  a  part  of  the  day  in 
wantonnefs,  as  I  went  to  bed  at  night,  there 
lay  in  a  window,  near  my  bed,  a  bible, 
which  I  opened,  and  firft  caft  my  eye  on  the 
text,      we  lie  down  in  our  fliame,  and  our 

confufion  covers  us  this  I  knew  to  be 
my  cafe  :  and  meeting  with  fo  unexpe6led  a 
reproof,  I  was  fomewhat  affedled  with  it,  and 

went 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  7 


went  to  bed  undef  remorfe  of  confcience  ; 
which  I  foon  caft  off  again. 

Thus  time  paft  on  :  my  heart  was  reple- 
nifhed  with  mirth  and  wantonnefs,  while 
pleaiing  fcenes  of  vanity  were  prefented  to 
my  imagination^  till  I  attained  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  ;  near  which  time  I  felt  the 
judgments  of  God,  in  my  foul,  like  a  con- 
fuming  fire  ;  and  looking  over  my  pa  ft  life, 
the  profpe6l  was  moving.  —  I  was  often  fad, 
and  longed  to  be  delivered  from  thofe  vani- 
ties ;  then  again,  my  heart  was  ftrongly  in- 
clined to  them,  and  there  was  in  me  a  fore 
conflict :  at  times  I  turned  to  folly ;  and  then 
again,  forrov^  and  confufion  took  hold  of 
me.  In  a  while,  I  refblved  totally  to  leave  off 
fome  of  my  vanities  ;  but  there  w^as  a  fecret 
referve  in  my  heart,  of  the  more  refined  part 
of  them,  and  I  was  not  low  enough  to  find 
true  peace.  Thus,  for  fome  months,  I  had 
great  troubles  ;  there  remaining  in  me  an  un- 
fubjedled  wall,  which  rendered  my  labours 
fruitlefs,  till  at  length,  through  the  merciful 
continuance  of  heavenly  vifitations,  I  was 
made  to  bow  down  in  fpirit  before  the  Lord. 
I  remember  one  evening  I  had  fpent  fome 
time  in  reading  a  pious  author ;  and  v/alking 
out  alone,  I  humbly  prayed  to  the  Lord  for 
his  help,  that  I  might  be  delivered  from  all 
thofe  vanities  which  fo  enfnared  me.  Thus 
being  brought  low,  he  helped  me ;  and  as  I 
learned  to  bear  the  crofs,  I  felt  refrefiiment  to 
come  from  his  prefence  ;  but  not  keeping  in 
that  ftreiigth  which  gave  vi^tory^  I  loft  ground 

again ; 


i      The  life  and  TRAVELS 

again  ;  the  fenfe  of  which  greatly  afFedled 
me :  and  I  fought  defer ts  and  lonely  places, 
and  there  with  tears  did  confefs  my  fins  to 
God,  and  humbly  craved  help  of  him.  And 
I  may  fay  with  reverence,  he  was  near  to  me 
in  my  troubles,  and  in  thofe  times  of  humi- 
liation opened  my  ear  to  difcipline.  I  was 
now  led  to  look  feriouily  at  the  means  by 
which  I  was  drawn  from  the  pure  truth,  and 
learned  this,  that  if  I  v/ould  live  in  the  life 
which  the  faithful  fervants  of  God  lived  in, 
I  muft  not  go  into  company  as  heretofore  in 
my  own  will;  but  all  the  cravings  of  fenfe 
muft  be  governed  by  a  divine  principle.  In 
times  of  forrow  and  abafement  thefe  inftruc- 
tions  were  fealed  upon  me,  and  I  felt  the 
power  of  Chrift  prevail  over  fetfilh  defires,  fo 
that  I  was  preferved  in  a  good  degree  of  ftea- 
dinefs  ;  and  being  young,  and  believing,  at 
that  time,  that  a  fingle  life  was  beft  for  me, 
I  was  ftrengthened  to  keep  from  fiich  com- 
pany as  had  often  been  a  fnare  to  me. 

I  kept  fteadiiy  to  meetings  ;  fpent  firft  days 
afternoon  chiefly  in  reading  the  fcriptures 
and  other  good  books  ;  and  was  early  con- 
vinced in  my  mind,  that  true  religion  con- 
fifted  in  an  inward  life,  wherein  the  heart 
doth  love  and  reverence  God  the  Creator,  and 
learns  to  exercife  truejuftice  and  goodnefs, 
not  only  toward  all  men,  but  alfo  toward  the 
brute  creatures — That  as  the  mind  was  mov- 
ed, by  an  inward  principle,  to  love  God  as 
an  invifible  incomprehenfible  Being  ;  by  the 
fame  principle  it  was  moved  to  love  him  in 

all 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  M  AM. 


all  his  manifeftations  in  the  vifible  world— 
That,  as  by  his  breath,  the  flame  of  life  was 
kindled  in  all  animal  fenfible  creatures,  to  fay 
we  love  God  as  unfeen,  and,  at  the  fame  time, 
exercife  cruelty  toward  the  leafl  creature  mov- 
ing by  his  life,  or  by  life  derived  from  him  ; 
VvTas  a  contradid:ion  in  itfelf. 

I  found  no  narrownefs  refpedling  fe(5ls  and 
opinions  ;  but  believed,  that  fincere  upright 
hearted  people,  in  every  fociety,  who  truly 
love  God,  were  accepted  of  him. 

As  I  lived  under  the  crofs,  and  limply  fol- 
lowed the  openings  of  truth,  my  mind,  from 
day  to  day,  was  more  enlightened  ;  my  for- 
mer acquaintance  were  left  to  judge  of  me  as 
they  would,  for  I  found  it  fafeft  for  me  to 
•live  in  private,  and  keep  thefe  things  fealed 
up  in  my  own  breaft.  While  I  filently  pon- 
der on  that  change  wrought  in  me,  I  find  no 
language  equal  to  it,  nor  any  means  to  con- 
vey to  another  a  clear  idea  of  it.  I  looked 
upon  the  works  of  God  in  this  vilible  crea- 
tion, and  an  awfiilnefs  covered  me ;  my  heart 
was  tender  and  often  contrite,  and  univerfal 
love  to  my  fellow-creatures  increafed  in  me : 
this  will  be  underflood  by  flich  who  have 
trodden  in  the  fame  path.  Some  glances  of 
real  beauty  may  be  feen  in  their  faces,  who 
dwell  in  true  meeknefs. 

There  is  a  harmony  in  the  found  of  that 
voice  to  which  divine  love  gives  utterance, 
and  fome  appearance  of  right  order  in  their 
temper  and  conducl,  whole  pallions  are  re- 
gulated; yet  all  thefe  do  not  fully  flievv  forth 


lo     The  life  and  TRAVELS 


that  inward  life  to  fuch  who  have  not  felt  it : 
but  this  white  fhone  and  new  name  is  known 
rightly  to  fuch  only  who  have  it. 

Now  though  I  had  been  thus  ftrengthened 
to  bear  the  crofs,  I  ftill  found  myfelf  in  great 
danger,  having  many  weakneiTes  attending 
me,  and  ftrong  temptations  to  wreftle  with  ; 
in  the  feeling  whereof  I  frequently  withdrew 
into  private  places,  and  often  with  tears  be- 
fought  the  Lord  to  help  me,  whofe  gracious 
ear  was  open  to  my  cry. 

All  this  time  I  lived  with  my  parents,  and 
wrought  on  the  plantation  ;  and  having  had 
fchooling  pretty  vsrell  for  a  planter,  I  uied  to 
improve  it  in  vvinter-evenings,  and  other  lei-- 
fure  times  ;  a(nd  being  now  in  the  twenty- 
firft  year  of  my  age,  a  man,  in  much  bufi- 
nefs  at  fliop-keeping  and  baking,  afl^ed  me, 
if  I  would  hire  with  him  to  tend  fhop  and 
keep  books.  I  acquainted  my  father  with  the 
propofal ;  and,  after  fome  deliberation,  it 
was  agreed  for  me  to  go. 

At  home  I  had  lived  retired ;  and  now  hav- 
ing a  profpecfl  of  being  much  in  the  way  of 
company,  I  felt  frequent  and  fervent  cries  in 
my  heart  to  God,  the  Father  of  mercies,  that 
he  would  preferve  me  from  all  taint  and  cor- 
ruption ;  that,  in  this  more  public  employ- 
ment, I  might  ferve  Him,  my  gracious  Re- 
deemer, in  that  humility  and  felf-denial, 
with  which  I  had  been,  in  a  fmall  degree,  ex- 
ercifed  in  a  more  private  life.  The  man,  who 
employed  me,  furnifhed  a  fhop  in  Mount- 
Holly,  about  five  miles  from  my  father's 

houfe 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  ir 


houfe,  and  fix  from  his  own  ;  and  there  I 
lived  alone,  and  tended  his  fliop.  Shortly  af- 
ter my  fettlement  here,  I  was  vifited  by  feve- 
ral  young  people  my  former  acquaintance, 
who  knew  not  but  vanities  would  be  as  agree- 
able to  me  novsT  as  ever ;  and,  at  thefe  times, 
I  cried  to  the  Lord  in  fecret  for  wifdom  and 
ftrength  ;  for  I  felt  myfelf  encompailed  with 
difficulties,  and  had  frefli  occafion  to  bewail 
the  follies  of  time  paft,  in  contracling  a  fa- 
miliarity with  libertine  people  :  and  as  I  had 
now  left  my  father's  houfe  outwardly,  I  found 
my  heavenly  Father  to  be  merciful  to  me  be- 
yond what  I  can  exprefs. 

By  day  I  was  much  amongfl  people,  and 
had  many  trials  to  go  through  ;  but  in  the 
evenings,  I  was  mofcly  alone,  and  may  with 
thankfulnefs  acknowledge,  that,  in  thofe 
times,  thj^  fpirit  of  fupplication  was  often 
poured  upon  me  ;  under  which  I  w^as  fre- 
quently exercifed,  and  felt  my  ftrength  re- 
newed. 

In  a  few  months  after  I  came  here,  my 
mafter  bought  feveral  Scotchmen  fervants, 
from  on  board  a  velTei,  and  brought  them  to 
Mount-Holly  to  fell ;  one  of  which  was  ta- 
ken fick,  and  died. 

In  the  latter  part  of  his  ficknefs,  he,  being 
delirious,  ufed  to  curfe  and  Iwear  moft  for- 
rowfully  ;  and  the  next  night  after  his  buri- 
al, I  was  left  to  fieep  alone  in  the  line  cham- 
ber where  he  died :  I  perceived  in  me  a  timo- 
roufnefs ;  I  knew,  however,  I  had  not  injured 
the  man,  but  aififted  in  taking  care  of  him 

according 


12     The  life  and  TRAVELS 


according  to  my  capacity  ;  and  was  not  free 
to  afl^  any  one,  on  that  occafion,  to  fleep  with 
me :  nature  was  feeble  ;  but  every  tryal  was 
a  frefli  incitement  to  give  myfelf  up  v/holly 
to  the  fervice  of  God,  for  I  found  no  helper 
like  him  in  times  of  trouble. 

After  awhile,  my  former  acquaintance  gave 
over  expecfting  me  as  one  of  their  company  ; 
and  I  began  to  be  known  to  fome  whole  con- 
verfation  was  helpful  to  me  :  and  now,  as  I 
had  experienced  the  love  of  God,  through 
Jefus  Chrift,  to  redeem  me  from  many  pol- 
lutions, and  to  be  a  fuccour  to  me  through 
a  fea  of  confli6ls,  with  which  no  perfon  was 
fully  acquainted  ;  and  as  my  heart  was  often 
enlarged  in  this  heavenly  principle,  I  felt  a 
tender  compafTion  for  the  youth,  who  re- 
mained entangled  in  fnares  like  thofe  which 
had  entangled  me  from  one  time  to  another : 
this  love  and  tendernefs  increafed  ;  and  my 
mind  was  more  ftrongly  engaged  for  the  good 
of  my  fellow-creatures.  I  went  to  meetings 
in  an  aw^ful  frame  of  mind,  and  endeavoured  to 
be  inwardly  acquainted  with  the  language  of 
the  true  Shepherd  ;  and  one  day,  being  under 
a  ftrong  exercife  of  fpirit,  I  flood  up,  and  faid 
fome  words  in  a  meeting ;  but  not  keeping 
clofe  to  the  divine  opening,  I  faid  more  than 
was  required  of  me  ;  and  being  foon  fenlible 
of  my  error,  I  was  affliclecl  in  mind  fome 
weeks,  without  any  light  or  comfort,  even 
to  that  degree  that  I  could  not  take  fatisfac- 
tion  in  any  thing  :  I  remembered  God,  and 
Y/as  troubled  ;  and,  in  the  dcj)th  of  my  dif- 

trefsj 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  13 


trefs,  he  had  pity  npon  me,  and  fent  the 
Comforter :  I  then  felt  forgivenefs  for  my  of- 
fence, and  my  mind  became  calm  and  qiiiet^ 
being  trvily  thankful  to  my  gracious  Re- 
deemer for  his  mercies ;  and  after  this,  feel- 
ing the  fpring  of  divine  love  opened,  and  a 
concern  to  fpeak,  I  faid  a  few  words  in  a 
meeting,  in  which  I  found  peace ;  this,  I 
believe,  was  about  fix  weeks  from  the  firfi 
time :  and,  as  I  was  thus  humbled  and  dif- 
ciplined  under  the  crofs,  my  underftanding 
became  more  ftrengthened  to  diftinguiih  the 
pure  fpirit  which  inwardly  moves  upon  the 
heart,  and  taurfit  me  to  wait  in  filence  fome- 
times  many  vv^eeks  together,  until  I  felt  that 
rife  which  prepares  the  creature  to  ftand  like 
a  trumpet,  through  which  the  Lord  fpeaks 
to  his  flock. 

From  an  inward  purifying,  and  ftedfaft 
abiding  under  it,  fprings  a  lively  operative 
defire  for  the  good  of  others  :  all  the  faith- 
ful are  not  called  to  the  public  miniftry ;  but 
whoever  are,  are  called  to  minifter  of  that 
which  they  have  tafted  and  handled  fpiritu- 
ally.  The  outward  modes  of  worfliip  are  va- 
rious ;  but  wherever  any  are  true  minifters 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  it  is  from  the  operation  of 
his  fpirit  upon  their  hearts,  firit  purifying 
them,  and  thus  giving  them  a  juft  fenfe  of 
the  conditions  of  others. 

This  truth  was  early  fixed  in  my  mind  ; 
and  I  was  taught  to  watch  the  pure  opening, 
and  to  take  heed,  left,  while  I  was  ftanding 
to  fpeak,  my  own  will  fhould  get  uppermoft, 

and 


14     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

and  caufe  me  to  utter  words  from  worldly 
wifdom,  and  depart  from  the  channel  of  the 
true  gofpel  miniftry.  In  the  management  of 
my  outward  affairs,  I  may  fay  with  thank- 
fulnefs,  I  found  truth  to  be  my  fupport ;  and 
I  was  refpe6ted  in  my  mafter's  family,  who 
came  to  live  in  Mount-Holly  within  two 
years  after  my  going  there. 

About  the  twenty-third  year  of  my  age,  I 
-  had  many  frefh  and  heavenly  openings,  in 
refped:  to  the  care  and  providence  of  the  Al- 
mighty over  his  creatures  in  general,  and 
over  man  as  the  mofh  noble  amongft  thofe 
which  are  vifible.  And  being  clearly  con- 
vinced in  my  judgment,  that  to  place  my 
whole  trufl  in  God  was  beft  for  me,  I  felt  re- 
newed engagements,  that  in  all  things  I  might 
a(5l  on  an  inward  principle  of  virtue,  and 
purlue  w^orldly  bufinels  no  further,  than  as 
truth  opened  my  way  therein. 

About  the  time  called  Chriftmas,  I  obferv- 
td  many  people  from  the  country,  and  dwell- 
ers in  town,  who,  reforting  to  publick-houfes, 
fpent  their  time  in  drinking  and  vain  fports, 
tending  to  corrupt  one  another;  on  which 
account  I  was  much  troubled.  At  one  houfe 
in  particular  there  was  much  diforder  ;  and  I 
believed  it  was  a  duty  incumbent  on  me  to  go 
and  fpeak  to  the  mafter  of  that  houfe.  I  con- 
fidered  I  was  young,  and  that  feveral  elderly 
friends  in  town  had  opportunity  to  fee  thefe 
things  ;  but  though  I  would  gladly  have  ho€i\ 
excufed,  yet  I  could  not  feel  my  mind  clear. 

The 


6P    JOHN   WOOL  MAR  15 

The  exercife  was  heavy :  and  as  I  was  read- 
ing what  the  Almighty  faid  to  Ezekiel,  re-^ 
fpedling  his  dvity  as  a  v^atchman,  the  matter 
~  Was  fet  home  more  clearly ;  and  then,  with 
prayers  and  tears,  I  befought  the  Lord  for 
Ms  affiflance,  who,  in  loving-kindnefs,  gave 
ine  a  reiigned  heart :  then,  at  a  fuitable  op- 
portimity,  I  w^ent  to  the  pnblick-houfe  ;  and 
feeing  the  man  amongit  much  company^  I 
went  to  him,  and  told  him,  I  wanted  to  fpeak 
Xvith  him  ;  fo  we  went  afide,  and  there,  in 
the  fear  and  dread  of  the  Almighty,  I  expreft 
to  him  what  relied  on  my  mind  ;  wiiich  he 
took  kindly,  and  afterward  Ihewed  more  re*- 
•gard  to  me  than  before.  In  a  few  years  af*- 
ter wards  he  died,  middle-aged;  and  I  of- 
ten thought,  that  had  I  neglected  my  ditty 
in  that  cafe,  it  would  have  given  me  great 
trouble  ;  and  I  was  hmnbly  thankful  t-o  my 
gracious  Father,  who  had  fupported  me  here- 
in. 

My  employer  having  a  negro  woman,  fold 
her,  and  defired  me  to  write  a  bill  of  fale, 
the  man  being  waiting  v/ho  bought  her :  the 
thing  was  fudden  ;  and  though  the  thoughts 
of  writing  an  inftrument  of  liavery  for  one 
of  my  fellow-creatures  felt  uneafy,  yet  I  re- 
membered I  was  hired  by  the  year,  that  it 
was  my  mafter  vdio  directed  me  to  do  it,  and 
that  it  was  an  elderly  man,  a  member  of  our 
Ibciety,  who  bought  her ;  fo,  through  Vv^eak- 
nefs,  I  gave  way,  and  wrote  it ;  but,  at  the 
executing  it,  I  was  fo  afflicted  in  my  mind, 
.  that  I  faid,  before  my  mafter  and  the  friend, 

that 


i6     The  LIFE  aInd  TRAVELS 

that  I  believed  flave-keeping  to  be  a  pradlicd^ 
inconliftent  with  the  chriftian  rehgion  :  this 
in  fome  degree  abated  my  uneafinefs ;  yet,  as 
often  as  I  refledled  ferioufly  upon  it,  I  thought 
I  fhould  have  been  clearer,  if  I  had  defired  to 
be  excufed  from  it,  as  a  thing  againft  my  con- 
fcience  ;  for  fuch  it  was.  And  fome  time  after 
this,  a  young  man,  of  our  fociety,  fpoke  to 
me  to  write  a  conveyance  of  a  flave  to  him  ; 
he  having  lately  taken  a  negro  into  his  houfe : 
I  told  him,  I  was  not  eafy  to  write  it ;  for, 
though  many  of  our  meeting  and  in  other 
places  kept  flaves,  I  ftill  believed  the  pradlice 
was  not  right ;  and  defired  to  be  excufed  from 
the  writing.  I  fpoke  to  him  in  good  will ;  and 
he  told  me,  that  keeping  flaves  was  not  alto- 
gether agreeable  to  his  mind;  but  that  theilavc 
being  a  gift  made  to  his  wife,  he  had  accept- 
ed of  her. 


CHAP. 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  17 


CHAP.  IL 

His  firfi  joiirriey^  on  a  religious  ^vifit^  into  Eajl-^ 
Jerfey^  in  company  ivith  Abraham  Farring-" 
ton — His  thoughts  on  merchandizing^  and  his 
learning  a  trade  —  His  fecond  journey ^  with 
Ifaac  Andrews^  into  Pennfylvania^  Mary-- 
land^  Virginia^  and  North-Carolina.  —  His 
third  journey  y  ivith  Peter  Andreivs^  through 
part  of  Wejl  and  Eajl-Jerfey — Some  account 
of  his  fifter  Elizabeth^  and  her  death  —  His 
fourth  journey^  ivith  Ptter  Andrews^  through 
Nenv-Tork  and  Long-Ifland^  to  Nenjo-Eng-- 
land  —  And  his  fifth  journey^  with  John 
Sykes^  to  the  Eofiern  Shore  of  Maryland^  and 
the  Lower  Counties  on  Delaware. 

MY  efteemed  friend  Abraham  Farring- 
ton,  being  about  to  make  a  vilit  to 
friends  on  the  eaftern  fide  of  this  province, 
and  having  no  companion,  he  propofed  to 
me  to  go  with  him ;  and  after  a  conference 
with  Ibiiie  elderly  friends,  I  agreed  to  go :  fo 
we  fet  out  the  fifth  day  of  the  ninth  month, 
in  the  year  1743  ;  had  an  evening  meeting  at 
a  tavern  in  Brunlwick,  a  town  in  which  none 
of  our  fociety  dwelt ;  the  i^oom  was  full, 
and  the  people  quiet.  Thence  to  Amboy,  aiid 
had  an  evening  meeting  in  the  court-houfe ; 
to  which  came  many  people,  amongft  whom 
Vv^ere  feveral  members  of  aflembly,  they  be- 
ing in  town  on  the  public  affairs  of  the  pro- 

C  vince* 


i8    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


vince :  in  both  thefe  meetings  my  antient 
companion  was  enlarged  to  preach,  in  the 
love  of  the  gcfpel.  Thence  we  went  to  Wood- 
bridge,  Raway,  and  Plainfield ;  and  had  fix 
or  feven  meetings  in  places  where  friends 
meetings  are  not  ufually  held,  being 
made  up  chiefly  of  prefbyterians,  and  my 
beloved  companion  was  frequently  flrength- 
ened  to  publifh  the  word  of  life  amongft 
them  :  as  for  me,  I  was  often  filent  thro' 
the  meetings  ;  and  when  I  fpake,  it  was 
with  much  care,  that  I  might  fpeak  only 
what  truth  opened :  my  mind  was  often  ten- 
der, and  I  learned  fome  profitable  lefTons. 
We  were  out  about  two  weeks. 

Near  this  time,  being  on  fome  outward  bu- 
finefs  in  which  feveral  families  vs^ere  concern- 
ed, and  which  was  attended  with  difKculties, 
fome  things  relating  thereto  not  being  clearly 
ftated,  nor  rightly  unclerftood  by  all,  there 
arofe  fome  heat  in  the  minds  of  the  parties^ 
and  one  valuable  friend  got  off  his  v/atch ; 
I  had  a  great  regard  for  him,  and  felt  a  flrong 
inclination,  after  matters  were  fettled,  to  fpeak 
to  him  concerning  his  condu6l  in  that  cafe ; 
but  I  being  a  youth,  and  he  far  advanced  in 
age  and  experience,  my  way  appeared  difh- 
cult ;  but  after  fome  days  deliberation,  and 
inward  feeking  to  the  Lord  for  afliftance,  I 
tvas  made  fubje6l;  fo  that  I  exprefl  what  lay 
upon  me,  in  a  way  which  became  my  youth 
and  his  years  :  and  though  it  v>ras  a  hard  talk 
to  me,  it  "was  well  taken,  and,  I  believe,  was 
ufefui  to  us  both* 

Having 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  19 


Having  now  been  feveral  years  with  my 
employer,  and  he  doing  iefs  at  merchandize 
dian  heretofore,  I  was  thoughtful  of  fome 
other  w^ay  of  btifinefs  ;  perceiving  merchan- 
dize to  be  attended  with  much  cumber,  in 
the  w^ay  of  trading  in  thefe  parts. 

My  mind,  through  the  power  of  truth,  was 
in  a  good  degree  weaned  from  the  deiire  of 
outward  greatnefs,  and  I  w^as  learning  to  be 
content  with  real  conveniencies,  that  were 
not  coftiy ;  fo  that  a  way  of  life,  free  from 
much  entanglements,  appeared  befh  for  me, 
tho'  the  income  might  be  fmall.  I  had  feveral 
offers  of  buiinefs  that  appeared  profitable,  but 
did  not  fee  my  way  clear  to  accept  of  them ; 
as  believing  the  buiinefs  propofed  would  be 
attended  with  more  outward  care  and  cumbe? 
than  v/as  required  of  me  to  engage  in. 

I  faw  that  a  humble  man,  with  the  bieffing 
of  the  Lord,  might  live  on  a  little :  and  that 
where  the  heart  w^as  fet  on  greatnefs,  fuccefs 
in  buiinefs  did  not  fatisfy  the  craving ;  but 
that  commonly  with  an  increafe  of  wealth, 
the  deiire  of  wealth  increafed.  There  was  a 
care  on  my  mind  fo  to  pafs  my  time,  that 
nothing  might  hinder  me  from  the  moft 
lleady  attention  to  the  voice  of  the  true  Shep- 
herd. 

My  employer,  though  now  a  retailer  of 
goods,  was  by  trade  a  taylor,  and  kept  a 
iervant  man  at  that  buiinefs ;  and  I  began 
to  think  about  learning  the  trade,  expedling, 
that  if  I  Ihould  fettle,  I  might,  by  this  trade, 
and  a  little  retailing  of  goods,  get  a  living 

C  2  in 


The  life  and  TRAVELS 

in  a  plain  way,  without  the  load  of  great 
bulinefs  :  I  mentioned  it  to  my  employer, 
and  we  foon  agreed  on  tertns  ;  and  then, 
when  I  had  leifiire  from  the  axFairs  of  mer- 
chandize, I  worked  with  his  man,  I  believed 
the  hand  of  Providence  pointed  out  this  bu- 
finefs  for  me ;  and  was  taught  to  be  content 
with  it,  though  I  felt,  at  times,  a  difpofition 
that  would  have  fought  for  fomething  great- 
er :  but,  through  the  revelation  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  I  had  feen  the  happinefs  of  humiUty, 
and  there  was  an  earnefl  defire  in  me  to  en- 
ter deep  into  it  ;  and,  at  times,  this  defire 
arofe  to  a  degree  of  fervent  fupplication, 
wherein  my  foul  was  fo  environed  with  hea- 
venly light  and  confolation,  that  things  were 
made  eafy  to  me  which  had  been  otherwife. 

After  fome  time,  my  employer's  wife  died  j 
llie  was  a  virtuous  woman,  and  generally  be- 
loved of  her  neighbours  :  and  foon  after  this, 
he  left  fliopkeeping ;  and  we  parted.  I  then 
wrought  at  my  trade,  as  a  tciylor  ;  carefully 
attended  meetings  for  worfliip  and  difcipline; 
and  found  an  enlargement  of  gofpel  love  in 
my  mind,  and  theixin  a  concern  to  vifit 
friends  in  fome  of  the  back  fettlements  of 
Pennfylvania  and  Virginia  ;  and  being 
thoughtful  about  a  companion,  I  exprelTed  it 
to  my  beloved  friend  Ifaac  Andrews,  who 
then  told  me  that  he  had  drawings  to  the 
fame  places  ;  and  alfo  to  go  through  Mary- 
land, Virginia,  and  Carolina.  After  confi- 
derable  time  paft,  and  feveral  conferences 
with  him,    I  felt  eafy  to  accompany  him 

throughout  j 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  21 


throughout,  if  way  opened  for  it.  I  opened 
the  cafe  in  our  monthly  meeting,  and  friends 
expreHing  their  unity  therewith,  we  obtained 
certificates  to  travel  as  companions ;  his  from. 
Haddonfield,  and  mine  from  Burlington. 

We  left  our  province  on  the  tv^elfth  day 
of  the  third  month,  in  the  year  1746,  and 
had  feveral  meetings  in  the  upper  part  of 
Chefter  county,  and  near  Lancafter ;  in  fome 
of  which,  the  love  of  Chrift  prevailed,  uni- 
ting us  together  in  his  fervice.  Then  we 
crolFed  the  river  Sufquehann?Ji,  and  had  fe- 
veral meetings  in  a  new  fettlement,  called 
the  Red-Lands  ;  the  oldeft  of  which,  as  I 
was  informed,  did  not  exceed  ten  years.  It 
is  the  poorer  fort  of  people  that  commonly 
begin  to  improve  remote  deferts  :  with  a 
fmall  flock  they  have  houfes  to  build,  lands 
to  clear  and  fence,  corn  to  raife,  cloaths  to 
provide,  and  children  to  educate;  that  friends, 
who  vifit  fiich,  may  well  fympathize  with 
them  in  their  hardiliips  in  the  wiidernefs  ; 
and  though  the  beft  entertainment  fuch  can 
give,  may  feem  coarfe  to  fome  who  are  ufed 
to  cities,  or  old  fettled  places,  it  becomes  the 
difciples  of  Chrifl  to  be  content  with  it.  Our 
hearts  were  fornetimes  enlarged  in  the  love 
of  our  heavenly  Father  amongfl  thefe  people; 
and  the  fweet  influence  of  his  fpirit  fup- 
ported  us  through  fome  difficulties :  to  hini 
be  the  praife. 

We  paifed  on  to  Manoquacy,  Fairfax, 
Hopewell,  and  Shanando,  and  had  meet- 
ings j  fome  of  which  were  comfortable  and 

edifying^ 


22    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


edifying.  From  Slianando  we  fet  off  in  the 
afternoon  for  the  old  fetclemeilts  of  friends  in 
Virginia  ;  and  the  firft  night,  we,  with  our 
pilot,  lodged  in  the  woods,  our  horfes  feed- 
ing near  us  ;  but  he  being  poorly  provided 
with  a  horfe,  and  v/e  young  and  having  good 
hqrfes,  were  free  the  next  day  to  part  with 
him  ;  and  did  fo.  In  two  days  after,  we 
reached  to  our  friend  John  Cheagle's,  in  Vir- 
ginia :  lb  we  took  the  meetings  in  our  way 
through  Virginia  ;  were,  in  fome  degree^ 
baptized  into  a  feeling  lenfe  of  the  condi- 
tions of  the  people  ;  and  our  exercife  in  ge-r 
neral  was  more  painful  in  thefe  old  fettle- 
ments,  than  it  had  been  amongft  the  back 
inha^bitants  :  but  through  the  goodnefs  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  the  well  of  living-wa- 
ters was,  at  times,  opened  to  our  encou- 
ragement, and  the  refrefhment  of  the  iincere 
hearted.  We  went  on  to  Perquimons,  in 
North-Carolina ;  had  feveral  meetings,  which 
w^ere  large  ;  and  found  fome  opennefs  in 
thofe  parts,  and  a  hopeful  appearance  amongft 
the  young  people.  So  w^e  turned  again  to 
Virginia,  and  attended  moft  of  the  meetings 
which  we  had  not  been  at  before,  labouring 
amongft  friends  in  the  love  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
as  ability  was  given :  and  thence  went  to  the 
mountains,  up  James  River,  to  a  new  fettle- 
ment ;  and  had  feveral  meetings  amongft 
the  people,  forne  of  whom  had  lately  joined 
in  mgitiberftiip  with  our  fociety. 

In  our  journeying  to  and  fro,  we  found 
fome  hqneft-hearted  friends,  who  appeared 

to 


OF    J  O  H  N   W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  2j 


to  be  concerned  fox  the  caufe  of  truth  ^mong 
^  backfliding  people. 

From  Virginia,  we  crofTed  over  the  river 
Patowmac,  at  Hoe's  ferry,  and  made  a  gene- 
i^al  viiit  to  the  meetings  of  friends  on  the 
Weftern  Shore  of  Maryland  ;  and  were  at 
their  quarterly  meeting.  We  had  fome  hard 
labour  amongft  them,  endeavouring  to  dif- 
charge  our  duty  honeiliy  as  way  opened,  in 
the  love  of  truth  :  and  thence  taking  fuFirdry 
meetings  in  our  way,  we  paffed  homeward  j 
where,  through  the  favour  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, we  reached  the  lixteenth  da.y  of  the 
fixth  month,  in  the  year  1746  ;  and  I  may 
fay,  that  through  the  afiiilance  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  which  mortifies  felnfh  defires,  my 
companion  and  I  travelled  in  harmony,  and 
parted  in  the  nearnefs  of  true  brotherly  love. 

Tv/o  things  were  remarkable  to  me  in  this, 
journey  :  fir  ft,  in  regard  to  my  entertain- 
ment ;  wdien  I  eat,  drank,  and  lodged  free- 
coft  v/ith  people,  who  lived  in  eafe  on  the 
hard  labour  of  their  flaves,  I  felt  uneafy  ; 
and  as  niy  mind  was  inward  to  the  Lord,  I 
found,  from  place  to  place,  this  uneafmefs? 
return  upon  me,  at  times,  through  the  whole 
vifit.  Where  the  niafters  bore  a  good  ihare 
of  the  burthen,  and  lived  frugally,  fo  that 
their  fervants  were  well  provided  for,  and 
their  labour  moderate,  I  felt  more  eafy ;  but 
where  they  lived  in  a  coilly  wa.y,  and  laid 
heavy  burthens  on  their  ilaves,  my  exercife 
was  often  great,  and  I  frequently  had  con- 
verfation  with  them,  in  private,  concerning 


24    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


it.  Secondly :  this  trade  of  importing  flaves 
from  their  native  country  being  much  en- 
couraged amongft  them^  and  the  white  peo- 
ple and  their  children  lb  generally  living 
without  much  labour,  was  frequently  the 
fubjedl  of  my  ferious  thovights  :  and  I  faw  in 
thele  fouthern  provinces  fo  many  vices  and 
corruptions,  increafed  by  this  trade  and  this 
way  of  life,  that  it  appeared  to  me  as  a 
dark  gloominels  hanging  over  the  land ;  and 
though  now  many  willingly  run  into  it,  yet 
in  future  the  confequence  w411  be  grievous  to 
poflerity  :  I  expreis  it  as  it  hath  appeared  to 
me,  not  at  once,  nor  twice,  but  as  a  matter 
fixed  on  my  mind. 

Soon  after  my  return  home,  I  felt  an  in- 
creaiing  concern  for  friends  on  our  fea  coaft  j 
and  on  the  eighth  day  of  the  eighth  month, 
in  the  year  1746,  with  the  unity  of  friends, 
and  in  company  with  my  beloved  friend  and 
neighbour  Peter  Andrews,  brother  to  my 
companion  before-mentioned,  we  fet  for- 
ward, and  vifited  meetings  generally  about 
Salem,  Cape  May,  Great  and  Little  Egg- 
Harbour  ;  and  had  meetings  at  Barnagat, 
Mannahockin,  and  Mane-Squan,  and  foto  the 
yearly  meeting  at  Shrewfbury.  Through  the 
goodnefs  of  the  Lord  way  was  opened,  and 
the  ftrength  of  divine  love  was  fometimes 
felt  in  our  aflemblies,  to  the  comfort  and 
help  of  thofe  who  were  rightly  concerned  be- 
fore him.  We  were  oi;it  twenty-two  days, 
and  rode,  by  computation,  three  hundred 
and  forty  miles.  At  Shrewfbury  yearly  meet^ 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  25 


ing,  we  met  with  our  dear  friends  Michael 
Lightfoot  and  Abraham  Farrington,  who  had 
good  fervice  there. 

The  winter  following  died  my  eldeft  lifter, 
Elizabeth  Woolman,  jmi.  of  the  finall-pox, 
aged  thirty-one  years.  She  was,  from  her 
youth,  of  a  thoughtful  difpoiition ;  and  very 
companionate  to  her  acquaintance  in  their 
licknefs  or  diftrefs,  being  ready  to  help  as 
far  as  fhe  could.  She  was  dutiful  to  her 
parents  ;  one  inftance  whereof  follows  : — It 
happened  that  Ihe,  and  two  of  her  fifters,  be- 
ing then  near  the  eftate  of  young  women, 
had  an  inchnation  one  firft  day  after  meet- 
ing to  go  on  a  vifit  to  fome  other  young 
women  at  fome  diftance  off ;  whole  compa- 
ny, I  believe,  would  have  done  them  no 
good.  They  expreft  their  defire  'to  our  pa- 
rents ;  who  v/ere  diffatisfied  with  the  propo- 
fal,  and  flopped  them.  The  fame  day,  as 
my  lifters  and  I  were  together,  and  they 
talking  about  their  difappointment,  Eliza- 
beth expreft  her  contentment  under  it ;  fig- 
nifying,  flie  believed  it  might  be  for  their 
good. 

A  few  years  after  fhe  attained  to  mature- 
age,  through  the  gracious  vifitations  of  God's 
love,  ftie  was  ftrengthened  to  live  a  felf-deny- 
ing  exemplary  life,  giving  herfeif  much  to 
reading  and  meditation. 

The  following  letter  may  fliew,  in  fome 
^legree,  her  difpoiition : 


Haddonfieldj 


?6     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


HaddonSeld,  i ft  day,  i  ith  month,  I743» 

Beloved  brother  John  Woohnan, 

In  that  love  which  defires  the  v^elfare  of 
all  men,  I  write  unto  thee  :  I  received  thine, 
dated  fecond  day  of  the  tenth  month  laft, 
with  which  I  was  comforted.  My  fpirit  h 
bowed  with  thankfuinefs  that  I  fhould  be 
remembered,  who  am  irnvs^orthy  ;  but  the 
Lord  is  full  of  mercy,  and  his  goodnefs  is 
extended  to  the  meanell  of  his  creation ; 
therefore,  in  his  infinite  love,  he  hath  pi- 
tied and  fpared  and  fliewed  mercy,  that  I 
have  not  been  cut  off  nor  quite  loft ;  but,  at 
times,  I  ana  refrelhed  and  comforted  as  with 
the  glimpfe  of  his  prefence,  which  is  more 
to  the  immortal  part,  than  all  which  this 
world  can  afford:  fo,  with  defires  for  thy 
prefervation  with  my  own,  I  remain 

thy  affeclionate  fifter^ 

Eliz.  Woolman,  jun« 

The  fore  part  of  her  illnefs  flie  was  in 
great  fadnefs  and  dejedlion  of  mind,  of 
which  file  told  one  of  her  intimate  friends, 
and  laid,  when  I  w^as  a  young  girl  I  was 
wanton  and  airy,  but  I  thought  I  had  tho- 
roughly repented  for  it ;  and  added,  I  have 
of  late  had  great  fatisfadtion  in  meetings. 
Though  fhe  was  thus  difconfolate,  ftill  ihe 
retained  a  hope,  which  was  as  an  anchor  ta 
her:  and  fome  tirne  after,  the  fame  friend 

came 


OP    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  27 


came  again  to  fee  her,  to  whom  fhe  men- 
tioned her  former  expreffions,  and  faid,  it  is 
otherwife  now,  for  the  Lord  hath  rewarded 
me  feven-fold ;  and  I  am  unable  to  exprefs 
the  greatnefs  of  his  love  manifefted  to  me. 
Her  diforder  appearing  dangerous,  and  our 
mother  being  forrowful,  ihe  took  notice  of 
it,  and  faid,  dear  mother,  weep  not  for  me  ; 
I  go  to  my  God:  and  many  times,  with  an 
audible  voice,  uttered  praife  to  her  Re- 
deemer. 

A  friend  coixiino'  fome  miles  to  fee  her,  the 
morning  before  flie  died,  aflced  her,  how  ihe 
did  ?  the  anfvvered,  I  have  had  a  hard  nighty 
but  fhail  not  have  another  fuch,  for  I  lhall 
die,  and  it  will  be  well  vnth  my  foul ;  and 
accordingly  died  the  next  evening. 

The  following  ejaculations  were  found 
amongfh  her  writings  ;  wi'ote,  I  believe,  at 
four  times  : 

I.  Oh !  that  my  head  were  as  Vs^aters,  and 
mine  eyes  as  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I 
might  weep  day  and  night,  until  acquainted 
with  my  God. 

II.  O  Lord,  that  I  may  enjoy  thy  pre- 
fence  ;  or  elfe  my  time  is  loft,  and  my  life 
a  fhare  to  my  foul. 

in.  O  Lord,  that  I  may  receive  bread  from 
thy  table,  and  that  thy  grace  may  abound  in 
me. 

IV.  O  Lord,  that  I  may  be  acquainted 
with  thy  prefence,  that  I  may  be  feafoned 
with  thy  fait,  that  thy  grace  may  abound  in 

Of 


28     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


Of  late  I  found  drawings  in  my  mind  to 
yiiit  friends  in  New-England,  and  having 
an  opportunity  of  joining  in  company  with 
my  beloved  friend  Peter  Andrews  ;  w^e,  hav- 
ing obtained  certificates  from  our  monthly 
meeting,  fet  forward  on  the  fixteenth  day  of 
the  third  month,  in  the  year  1747,  and 
reached  the  yearly  meeting  at  Long-lfland  j 
at  which  were  our  friends  Samuel  Notting- 
ham from  England,  John  Griffith,  Jane 
Holkins,  and  Elizabeth  Eludfon  from  Penn- 
fylvania,  and  Jacob  Andrews  from  Chefter- 
field.  Several  of  whom  v/ere  favoured  in 
their  publick  exercife  ;  and,  through  the 
goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  we  had  fome  edifying 
meetings.  After  this,  my  companioi^  and  I 
vilited  friends  on  Long-Ifland ;  and,  through 
the  mercies  of  God,  we  were  helped  in  the 
work. 

Beiides  going  to  the  fettled  meetings  of 
friends,  we  were  at  a  general  meeting  at  Se- 
tavvket,  chiefly  made  up  of  other  fbcieties : 
and  had  a  meeting  at  Oyfter-Bay,  in  a 
dwelling-houfe,  at  which  were  many  people: 
at  the  firfc  of  which  there  was  not  much  faid  ' 
by  way  of  teftimony  ;  but  was,  I  believe,  a 
good  meeting  :  at  the  latter,  through  the 
Springing  up  of  living- waters,  it  was  a  day 
to  be  thankfully  remembered.  Elaving  vifited 
the  ifland,  we  went  over  to  the  main,  taking 
meetings  in  our  way,  to  Oblong,  Nine-Part- 
ners and  New-Milfoi^d. — In  thefe  back  fettle- 
ments  we  met  with  feveral  people,  who, 
through  the  immediate  workings  of  the  fpi-- 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  29 


rit  of  Chrifl  on  their  minds,  were  drawn  from 
the  vanities  of  the  world,  to  an  inward  ac- 
quaintance with  him  :  they  were  educated  in 
the  way  of  the  prefbyterians.  A  confiderable 
number  of  the  youth,  members  of  thatfociety, 
were  ufed  to  fpend  their  time  often  together 
in  merriment,  but  fome  of  the  principal  young 
men  of  that  company  being  vilited  l3y  the 
powerful  w^orkings  of  the  fpirit  of  Chrift,  and 
thereby  led  hiunbly  to  take  up  his  crofs, 
could  no  longer  join  in  thofe  vanities;  and 
as  thefe  flood  ftedfail  to  that  inward  con- 
vincement,  they  were  made  a  blelling  to  fbme 
of  their  former  companions  ;  fo  that,  through 
the  power  of  truth,  feveral  were  brought  into 
a  clofe  exercife  concerning  the  eternal  vvell- 
being '  of  their  fouls.  Thefe  young  people 
continued  for  a  time  to  frequent  their  pub- 
lick  worlhip ;  and  befides  that,  had  meetings 
of  their  own  ;  which  meetings  were  a  while 
allowed  by  their  preacher,  w^ho  fometimes 
met  with  them:  but,  in  time,  their  judg- 
ment in  matters  of  religion  difaOTeein^;  with 
fome  of  the  articles  of  the  prefbyterians, 
their  meetings  were  difapproved  by  that  fo- 
ciety  ;  and  llich  of  them  w^ho  ftood  firm  to 
their  duty,  as  it  Vv^as  inv/ardly  manifefted, 
had  many  difSculties  to  go  through  :  and 
their  meetings  were  in  a  while  dropped  ; 
fome  of  them  returning  to  the  prefbyterians, 
and  others  of  them,  after  a  time,  joined  to 
our  religious  fociety. 

I  had  converfation  with  fome  of  the  latter, 
to  my  help  and  edification ;  and  believe  feve- 
ral 


go     The  life  and  TRAVELS 


ral  of  them  are  acquainted  with  the  nature  of 
that  worfhip,  which  is  performed  in  fpirit 
and  in  truth.  From  hence,  accompanied  by 
Amos  Powel,  a  friend  from  Long-Ifland, 
we  rode  through  Connediicut,  chiefly  inha- 
bited by  prefbyterians  ;  who  were  generally 
civil  to  us,  fo  far  as  I  faw :  and  after  three 
days  riding,  we  came  amongft  friends  in  the 
colony  of  Rhode-Ifland.  We  vifited  friends 
in  and  about  Newport,  and  Dartmouth,  and 
generally  in  thofe  parts  ;  and  then  to  Bofton ; 
and  proceeded  eaftward  as  far  as  Dover :  and 
then  returned  to  Newport,  and  not  fat  from 
thence,  w^e  met  our  friend  Thomas  Gaw- 
throp  from  England ;  who  was  then  on  a  vi- 
fit  to  thefe  provinces.  From  Newport  we 
failed  to  Nantucket ;  were  there  near  a  week  ; 
and  from  thence  came  over  to  Dartmouth  : 
and  having  finiilied  our  vifit  in  thefe  parts  ^ 
we  crofTed  the  Sound  from  New^-London  to 
Long-Ifland  ;  and  taking  fome  meetings  on 
the  ifland,  proceeded  homeward  ;  where  we 
reached  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  feventh 
month,  in  the  year  1747^  having  rode  about 
fifteen  hundred  miles,  and  failed  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty. 

In  this  journey,  I  may  fay  in  general,  we 
were  fome  times  in  much  weaknefs,  and  la- 
boured under  difcouragements  ;  and  at  other 
times,  through  the  renewed  manifeftations  of 
divine  love,  wx  had  feafons  of  refrefliment, 
w^herein  the  power  of  truth  prevailed. 

We  were  taught,  by  renewed  experience, 
to  labour  for  an  inward  ftillnefs  ;  at  no  time 

to 


OF    JOHN  WOOLMAR 


to  feek  for  words,  but  to  live  in  the  fpirit  of 
truth,  and  utter  that  to  the  people  which 
truth  opened  in  us.  My  beloved  companion 
and  I  belonged  both  to  one  meeting,  came 
forth  in  the  miniftry  near  the  fame  time,  and 
were  inwardly  united  in  the  work  :  he  was 
about  thirteen  years  older  than  I,  bore  the 
heaviefc  burthen,  and  was  an  inftrument  of 
the  greateit  ufe. 

Finding  a  concern  to  vilit  friends  in  the 
Lower  Comities  on  Delaware,  and  on  the 
Eaftern  Shore  of  Maryland,  and  having  an 
opportunity  to  join  with  my  well-beloved 
antient  friend  John  Sykes,  we  obtained  cer- 
tificates, and  let  off  the  fgventh  day  of  the 
eighth  month,  in  the  year  1748,  were  at  the 
meetings  of  friends  in  the  lower  counties, 
attended  the  yearly  meeting  at  Little  Creek^ 
and  made  a  vifit  to  chief  of  the  meetings  on 
the  Eaftern  Shore  ;  and  fo  home  by  the  way 
of  Nottingham:  were  abroad  about  fix  v/eeks; 
and  rode,  by  computation,  about  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles. 

Our  exercife,  at  times,  Vvras  heavy  ;  bxit^ 
through  the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  we  were  of- 
ten refrefhed  :  and  I  may  fay,  by  experience. 

He  is  a  ftrong  hold  in  the  day  of  trouble.'* 
Though  our  fociety,  in  thefe  parts,  appeared 
to  me  to  be  in  a  declining  condition  ;  yet,  I 
believe,  the  Lord  hath  a  people  amongft  tliem, 
who  labout  to  ferve  him  uprightly,  but  have 
many  difficulties  to  encpunter. 


C  H  A  P, 


32     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


CHAP.  IIL 

His  marriage — The  death  of  his  father — His 

journies  into  the  upper  part  of  Neiv-Jerfey^ 
and  afterguards  into  Pennfyl'vania — Confide-' 
rations  on  keeping  faves^  and  his  viftts  to  the 

families  of  friends  at  fei^eral  times  and  places 
—An  epifle  from  the  general  meeting — His 

joumey  to  Long-I/land  —  Confiderations  on 
tradings  and  on  the  ufe  of  fpirituous  liquors 
and  cofly  apparel  —  And  his  letter  to  a 

friend. 

ABOUT  this  time  believing  it  good  for 
me  to  fettle,  and  thinking  ferioufly  a- 
bout  a  companion,  my  heart  was  turned  to 
the  Lord  with  defires  that  he  would  give  me 
wifdom  to  proceed  therein  agreeable  to  his 
will ;  and  He  was  p leafed  to  give  me  a  well- 
inclined  damfel,  Sarah  Ellis  ;  to  whom  I  was 
married  the  eighteenth  day  of  the  eighth 
month,  in  the  year  1749. 

In  the  fair  of  the  year  1750  died  my  fa- 
ther, Samuel  Woolman,  VN^ith  a  fever,  aged 
about  fixty  years. 

In  his  life-time  he  manifefted  much  care 
for  us  his  children,  that  in  our  youth  we 
might  learn  to  fear  the  Lord  ;  often  endea- 
Touring  to. imprint  in  our  minds  the  truq 
principles  of  virtue,  and  particularly  to  che- 
rifti  in  us  a  fpirit  of  tendernefs,  not  only  to- 
wards 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  33 


wards  poor  people,  but  alfo  towards  all  crea-^ 
tures  of  which  we  had  the  command. 

After  my  return  from  Carolina  in  the  year 
1746,  I  made  fome  obfervations  on  keeping 
flaves,  which  fome  time  before  his  deceafe  I 
fliewed  him ;  and  he  perufed  the  manufcript, 
propofed  a  few  alterations,  and  appeared  well 
latisfied  that  I  fomid  a  concern  on  that  ac- 
count :  and  in  his  lafl  iicknefs,  as  I  was 
watching  with  him  one  night,  he  being  fo 
far  fpent  that  there  was  no  expecftation  of  his 
recovery,  but  had  the  perfect  ufe  of  his  un- 
derfhanding,  he  afked  me  concerning  the  ma-^ 
nufcript,  whether  I  expelled  foon  to  proceed 
to  take  the  advice  of  friends  in  publilhing 
it  ?  and,  after  fome  converfation  thereon,  faid, 
I  have  all  along  been  deeply  affected  with  the 
oppreffion  of  the  poor  negroes  ;  and  now,  at 
laft,  my  concern  for  them  is  as  great  as  ever. 

By  his  diredlion,  I  had  wrote  his  will  in  a 
time  of  health,  and  that  night  he  defired  me 
to  read  it  to  him,  which  I  did ;  and  he  faid^ 
it  was  agreeable  to  his  mind.  He  then  made 
mention  of  his  end,  which  he  believed  was 
now  near;  and  fignified,  that  though  he  v/as 
fenfible  of  many  imperfedlions  in  the  eourfe 
of  his  life,  yet  his  experience  of  the  power 
of  truth,  and  of  the  love  and  goodnefs  of 
God  from  time  to  time,  even  till  now,  was 
fuch,  that  he  had  no  doubt  but  that  in  leav- 
ing this  life  he  fhould  enter  into  one  more 
happy. 

The  next  day  his  fifter  Elizabeth  came  to 
fee  him,  and  told  him  of  the  deceafe  of  their 

D  fifter 


34    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

lifter  Ann  ;  who  died  a  few  days  before :  he 
then  faid,  I  reckon  fifter  Ann  was  free  to 
leave  this  world  ?  Elizabeth  faid,  Ihe  was  : 
he  then  faid,  I  alfo  am  free  to  leave  it ;  and 
being  in  great  weaknefs  of  body  faid,  I  hope 
I  lhall  fhortly  go  to  reft.  He  continued  in 
a  weighty  frame  of  mind,  and  was  fenfible 
till  near  the  laft. 

On  the  fecond  day  of  the  ninth  month,  in 
the  year  1751,  feeling  drawings  in  my  mind 
to  vifit  friends  at  the  Great  Meadows,  in  the 
upper  part  of  Weft-Jerfey,  with  the  unity  of 
our  monthly-meeting,  I  went  there ;  and  had 
fome  fearching  laborious  exercife  amongft 
friends  in  thofe  parts,  and  found  inward 
peace  therein. 

In  the  ninth  month  of  the  year  1753,  ill 
company  with  my  well-efteemed  friend  John 
Sykes,  and  with  the  unity  of  friends,  we 
travelled  about  two  weeks,  vifiting  friends 
in  Bucks-County.  We  laboured  in  the  love 
of  the  gofpel,  according  to  the  meafiire  re- 
ceived ;  and,  through  the  mercies  of  Him,^ 
who  is  ftrength  to  the  poor  who  truft  in  him* 
we  found  fatisfadlion  in  our  vilit':  and  in  the 
next  winter,  way  opening  to  vifit  friends  fa- 
milies v^ithin  the  compafs  of  our  monthly- 
meeting,  partly  by  the  labours  of  two  friends 
from  Pennfylvania,  I  joined  in  fome  part  of 
the  work ;  having  had  a  deiire  fome  time  that 
it  might  go  forward  amongft  us. 

About  this  time,  a  perfon  at  fome  diftance 
lying  fick,  his  brother  came  to  me  to  write 
his  will ;  I  knew  he  had  Haves  j  and  afking 

his 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  3^ 


Kis  brother,  was  told  he  intended  to  leave 
them  as  flaves  to  his  children.  As  writing  is 
a  profitable  employ,  and  as  offending  fober 
people  was  dilagreeble  to  my  inclination,  I 
was  ftraitened  in  my  mind  ;  but  as  I  looked 
to  the  Lord,  he  inclined  my  heart  to  his  tes- 
timony :  and  I  told  the  man,  that  I  believed 
the  pradlice  of  continuing  flavery  to  this 
people  was  not  right ;  and  had  a  fcruple  in 
my  mind  againft  doing  writings  of  that 
kind  :  that  though  many  in  our  fociety  kept 
them  as  flaves,  ftill  I  was  not  eafy  to  be  con- 
cerned in  it ;  and  delired  to  be  excufcd  from 
going  to  write  the  will.  I  fpake  to  him  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  and  he  made  no  reply 
to  what  I  faid,  but  went  away  :  he  alfo  had 
fome  concerns  in  the  pradlice ;  and  I  thought 
he  was  difpleafed  with  me.  In  this  cafe  1 
had  a.  frelli  confirmation,  that  adling  con-^ 
trary  to  prefent  outward  intereft,  from  a  mo-* 
tiye  of  divine  iove^  and  in  regard  to  truth 
and  righteoufnefs,  and  thereby  incurring  the 
refentments  of  people,  opens  the  way  to  a 
treafiire  better  than  filver,  and  to  a  friend-^ 
Ihip  exceeding  the  friendfliip  of  men. 

The  manuicript  before-mentioned  having 
laid  by  me  feverai  years,  the  publication  of 
it  refted  weightily  upon  me  ;  and  this  year  I 
oflered  it  to  the  revifal  of  friends,  who,  hav-* 
ing  examined  and  made  fome  fmall  altera- 
tions in  it,  direcfled  a  number  of  copies  there- 
of  to  be  publifned  and  difperfed  amongft 
friends. 

D  2  In 


36    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

In  the  year  1754, 1  found  my  mind  drawri 
to  join  in  a  vifit  to  friends  families  belonging 
to  Chefterfield  monthly-meeting  ;  and  hav- 
ing the  approbation  of  our  own,  I  went  to 
their  monthly-meeting  in  order  to  confer 
with  friends,  and  fee  if  way  opened  for  it : 
I  had  conference  with  fome  of  their  mem- 
bers, the  propofal  having  been  opened  before 
in  their  meeting,  and  one  friend  agreed  to 
join  with  me  as  a  companion  for  a  begin-* 
ning  ;  but  when  meeting  was  ended,  I  felt 
great  diftrefs  of  mind,  and  doubted  what 
way  to  take,  or  whether  to  go  home  and  wait 
for  greater  clearnefs :  I  kept  my  diftrefs  fe- 
cret ;  and  going  with  a  friend  to  his  houfe, 
my  deiires  were  to  the  great  Shepherd  for  his 
heavenly  inftrucftion ;  and  in  the  morning  I 
felt  eafy  to  proceed  on  the  vifit,  being  very 
low  in  my  mind  :  and  as  mine  eye  was  turn- 
ed to  the  Lord,  waiting  in  families  in  deep 
reverence  before  him,  he  was  pleafed  graci- 
oufly  to  afford  help  ;  fo  that  we  had  many 
comfortable  opportunities,  and  it  appeared  as 
a  freih  viiitation  to  fome  young  people.  I 
fpent  feveral  wrecks  this  winter  in  the  fervice  j 
part  of  which  time  was  employed  near  home. 
And  again  in  the  following  winter  I  was  fe- 
veral weeks  in  the  fame  fervice  ;  fome  part  of 
the  time  at  Shrewfbury,  in  company  with  my 
beloved  friend  John  Sykes  ;  and  have  caufe 
humbly  to  acknowledge,  that  thro'  the  good- 
nefs  of  the  Lord,  our  hearts  were,  at  times, 
enlarged  in  his  love  j  and  ftrength  v/as  given 

to 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  37 


to  go  through  the  trials  which,  in  the  courfe 
of  our  vifit,  attended  us. 

From  a  difagreement  between  the  powers 
of  England  and  France,  it  was  now  a  time 
of  trouble  on  this  Continent  ;  and  an  epiftie 
to  friends  went  forth  from  our  general  fpring 
meeting,  which  I  thought  good  to  give  a 
plage  in  this  journal. 


An  EPISTLE  from  our  general  fpring  meet- 
ing of  minifters  and  elders  for  Pennfylva- 
nia  and  New-Jerfey,  held  at  Philadelphia, 
from  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  third  month, 
to  the  firft  of  the  fourth  month,  incluiive, 

1755- 

To  friends  on  the  continent  of  America. 

Pear  friends, 

TN  an  humble  fenfe  of  divine  goodnefs,  and 
the  gracious  continuation  of  God's  love  to 
his  people,  we  tenderly  falute  you ;  and  are 
at  this  time  therein  engaged  in  mind,  that  all 
of  us  who  profefs  the  truth,  as  held  forth 
and  publifhed  by  our  worthy  predecefTors  in 
this  latter  age  of  the  world,  may  keep  near 
to  that  life  which  is  the  light  of  men,  and  be 
ftrengthened  to  hold  fall  the  profeffion  of  our 
faith  without  wavering,  that  our  truft  may 
not  be  in  man,  but  in  the  Lord  alone,  who 
ruleth  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  in  the 
kingdoms  of  men,  before  whom  the  earth  is 
as  the  duft  of  the  ballance,  and  her  inha.- 
bitants  as  grafshoppers/'  Ifa,xl.  22. 

We 


38     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

We  (beiiig  convinced  that  the  gracious  de- 
fign  of  the  Almighty  in  fending  his  Son  in- 
to the  world,  was  to  repair  the  breach  made 
by  difobedience,  to  finifh  fni  and  tranlgref- 
fion,  that  his  kingdom  might  come,  and  his 
will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven)  have 
found  it  to  be  our  duty  to  ceafe  from  thofe 
national  contefts  produdive  of  mifery  and 
bloodfhed,  and  fubmit  our  ""caufe  to  Him 
the  Mod  High,  whofe  tender  love  to  his  chil- 
dren exceeds  the  moft  warm  afledlions  of  na- 
tural parents,  and  who  hath  promifed  to  his 
feed  throughout  the  earth,  as  to  one  indivi- 
dual,     I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forfake 

thee,''  Heb.  xiii.  5.  And  as  we,  through 
the  gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord  our  God, 
have  had  experience  of  that  work  which  is 
carried  on,      not  by  earthly  might,  nor  by 

power,  but  by  my  fpirit,  faith  the  Lord 

of  Hofls  :^  Zech.  iv.  6.  By  which  opera- 
tion, that  fpiritual  kingdom  is  fet  up,  which 
is  to  fubdue  and  break  in  pieces  all  king- 
doms that  oppofe  it,  and  lhall  ftand  for  ever. 
In  a  deep  fenfe  thereof,  and  of  the  fafety, 
{lability  and  peace  there  is  in  it,  we  are  de- 
firous  that  all  who  profefs  the  trath,  may 
be  inwardly  acquainted  with  it,  and  thereby 
be  qualified  to  condu6t  in  all  parts  of  our 
life  as  becomes  our  peaceable  prpfeffion  :  Aad 
we  truft,  as  there  is  a  faithful  continuance 
to  depend  w^holly  iipon  the  almighty  arm, 
frorn  one  generation  to  another,  the  peacea- 
ble kingdom  will   gradually  be  extended 

from  fea  to  fea^  and  from  the  river  to  the 

^'  ends 


0 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  59 

ends  of  the  earth/^  Zech,  ix.  10.  to  the 
completion  of  thofe  prophefies  ahxady  be- 
gun, that      nation  fliall  not  lift  up  a  iword 

againfl  nation,  nor  learn  war  any  more." 
Ifa.  ii.  4.  Micah  iv.  3. 

And,  dearly  beloved  friends,  feeing  we  have 
thefe  promifes,  and  believe  that  God  is  begin- 
ning to  fulfil  them,  let  us  conftantly  endeavour 
to  have  our  minds  fufhciently  difentangled 
from  the  furfeiting  cares  of  this  life,  and  re- 
deemed from  the  love  of  the  world,  that  no 
earthly  poffeffions  nor  enjoyments  may  bias 
our  judgments,  or  turn  us  from  that  refigna- 
tion,  and  entire  truft  in  God,  to  which  his 
blefling  is  moft  flirely  annexed  ;  then  may 
we  fay,      Our  Redeemer  is  mighty,  he  will 

plead  our  caufe  for  us."  Jer.  1.  34.  And  if, 
for  the  further  promoting  his  moil  gracious 
purpofes  in  the  earth,  he  fliould  give  us  to  tafte 
of  that  bitter  cup  which  his  faithful  ones 
have  often  partook  of ;  O  that  we  may  be 
rightly  prepared  to  receive  it  ! 

And  nov/,  dear  friends,  with  refpedl  to  the 
commotions  and  ftirrings  of  the  powers  of 
the  earth  at  this  time  near  us,  w^e  are  deli- 
rous  that  none  of  us  may  be  moved  thereat ; 
^  But  repofe  ourfelves  in  the  munition  of 

*  that  rock  that  all  thefe  lhakings  fhall  not 
^  move,  even  in  the  knowledge  and  feeling 
^  of  the  eternal  povv^er  of  God,  keeping  us 
^  fubjedlly  given  up  to  his  heavenly  will,  and 
^  feel  it  daily  to  mortify  that  w^hich  remains 

*  in  any  of  us  which  is  of  this  wwld :  for 


40    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


*  the  worldly  part  in  any,  is  the  changeable 
^  part,  and  that  is  up  and  down,  full  and 
^  empty^  joyful  and  forx-owful,  as  things  go 
^  well  or  ill  in  this  world  ;  for  as  the  truth 
^  is  but  one,  and  many  are  made  partakers 

*  of  its  fpirit,  fo  the  v/orld  is  but  one,  and 
^  many  are  made  partakers  of  the  fpirit  of 
^  it  ;  and  fo  many  as  do  partake  of  it,  fo 
^  many  will  be  ftraitened  and  perplexed  with 
^  it  :  but  they  who  are  fmgle  to  the  truth, 
^  waiting  daily  to  feel  the  life  and  virtue  of 
^  it  in  their  hearts,  thefe  fhall  rejoice  in  the 
'  midft  of  adverfity,'  and  have  to  experience 
with  the  prophet.  That  Although  the  fig- 
^'  tree  lhall  not  bloflbm,  neither  lhall  fruit 

be  in  the  vines ;  the  labour  of  the  olive 
fhall  fail,    and  the  fields  fhall  yield  no 
^'  meat ;  the  flock  fhall  be  cut  off  from  the 
fold,  and  there  fliall  be  no  .  herd  in  the 
flails  ;  yet  will  thej  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
^'  and  joy  in  the  God  of  their  falvation/' 
Hab.  iii.  17,  i8. 

If,  contrary  to  this,  we  profefs  the  truth, 
and  not  living  under  the  power  and  influ- 
ence of  it,  are  producing  fruits  difagreeable 
to  the  purity  thereof,  and  truft  to  the  ftrength 
of  man  to  fupport  ourfelves,  therein  our  con- 
fidence will  be  vain.  For  He,  who  removed 
the  hedge  from  his  vineyard,  and  gave  it  to 
be  trodden  under  foot,  by  reafon  of  the  wild 
grapes  it  produced,  (Ifa.  v.  5.)  remains  un- 
changeable :  and  if,  for  the  chaflifement  of 
wickednefs,  ^nd  the  further  promoting  his 

^  owu 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  41 


own  glory,  he  doth  arife,  even,  to  fhake  ter- 
ribly the  earth,  who  then  may  oppofe  him, 
and  profper ! 

We  remain,    in  the  love  of  the  gofpel, 
your  friends  and  brethren. 

Signed  by  fourteen  friends* 

i 

Scrupling  to  do  writings  relative  to  keep-  v 
ing  flaves,  having  been  a  means  of  fmidiy 
fmall  trials  to  me,  in  which  I  have  fo  evi- 
dently felt  my  own  will  fct  alide,  that  I  think 
it  good  to  mention  a  few  of  them — Tradef- 
men  and  retailers  of  goods,  who  depend  on 
their  bufinefs  for  a  living,  are  naturally  in- 
clined to  keep  the  good-wiil  of  their  cuftoni- 
ers  ;  nor  is  it  a  pleafant  thing  for  young 
men  to  be  under  any  neceffity  to  queftion  the 
judgment  or  honefty  of  elderly  men,  and 
more  efpecially  of  fuch  who  have  a  fair  re- 
putation. Deep-rooted  cuftorns,  tho'  wrong, 
are  not  eafily  altered ;  but  it  is  the  duty  of 
every  one  to  be  firm  in  that  which  they  cer- 
tainly know  is  right  for  them.  A  charitable 
benevolent  man,  well  acquainted  with  a  ne- 
gro, may,  I  believe,  under  fome  circum- 
Itances,  keep  him  in  his  family  as  a  fervant^ 
on  no  other  motives  than  the  negroe's  good  ; 
but  man,  as  man  knows  not  w^hat  fhall  be  af- 
ter him,  nor  hath  he  any  alTurance  that  his 
children  will  attain  to  that  perfedtion  in  wif- 
dom  and  goodnefs  necelfary  rightly  to  exer- 
cife  fuch  power:  hence  it  is  clear  to  me,  that 
I  ought  not  to  be  the  fcribe  where  wills  are 

drawn, 


42     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


drawn,  in  which  fome  children  are  made  ab-^ 
fokite  mafters  over  others  during  Hfe. 

About  this  time,  an  antient  man  of  good 
efteem  in  the  neighbourhood,  came  to  my 
houfe  to  get  his  will  wrote;  he  had  young 
negroes ;  and  I  aflced  him  privately,  how  he 
purpoled  to  difpofe  of  them  ?  he  told  me  : 
I  then  faid,  I  cannot  write  thy  will  without 
breaking  my  own  peace  ;  and  refpecftfully 
gave  him  my  reafons  for  it :  he  fignified  that 
he  had  a  choice  that  I  fliould  have  wrote  it ; 
but  as  I  could  not,  confiftent  with  my  con- 
fcience,  he  did  not  deiire  it :  and  fo  he  got 
it  wrote  by  fome  other  perfon.  And  a  few 
years  after,  there  being  great  alterations  in 
his  family,  he  came  again  to  get  me  to  write 
his  wall :  his  negroes  were  yet  young  ;  and 
his  fon,  to  whom  he  intended  to  give  them, 
w^as,  fince  he  firft  fpoke  to  me,  from  a  liber- 
tine, become  a  fober  young  man  ;  and  he 
fuppofed,  that  I  would  have  been  free,  on 
that  account,  to  write  it.  We  had  much 
friendly  talk  on  the  fubject,  and  then  de- 
ferred it :  and  a  few  days  after,  he  came 
again,  and  diredled  their  freedom ;  and  fo  I 
wrote  his  will. 

Near  the  time  the  laft  mentioned  friend 
firft  fpoke  to  me,  a  neighbour  received  a  bad 
bruife  in  his  body,  and  fent  for  me  to  bleed 
him  ;  which  being  done,  he  defired  me  to 
write  his  will :  I  took  notes ;  and,  amongft 
other  things,  he  told  me  to  which  of  his 
children  he  gave  his  young  negro  :  I  confi- 
dered  the  pain  and  diftrefs  he  was  in,  and 

knew 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  43 


knew  not  how  it  would  end ;  fo  I  wrote  his 
will,  fave  only  that  part  concerning  his  flave, 
and  carrying  it  to  his  bed- fide,  read  it  to  him; 
and  then  told  him  in  a  friendly  way,  that  I  could 
not  write  any  inftruments  by  which  my  fellow- 
creatures  were  made  flaves,  without  bringing 
trouble  on  my  own  mind :  I  let  him  know  that 
I  charged  nothing  for  what  I  had  done  ;  and 
defirecl  to  be  excufed  from  doing  the  other 
part  in  the  way  he  propofed  :  we  then  had  a 
ferious  conference  on  the  fubjecft  ;  at  length, 
he  agreeing  to  fet  her  free,  I  finiflied  his  will. 

Having  found  drawings  in  my  mind  to 
vijfit  friends  on  Long-Iiland,  after  obtaining 
a  certificate  from  our  monthly-meeting,  I 
fet  off  on  the  twelfth  day  of  the  fifth  month, 
in  the  year  1756.  When  I  reached  the  iiland, 
I  lodged  the  firft  night  at  the  houfe  of  my 
dear  friend  Richard  Hallet :  the  next  day,  be- 
ing the  firft  of  the  week,  I  was  at  the  meet- 
ing in  Newtown ;  in  which  we  experienced 
the  renewed  manifeftations  of  the  love  of  Je- 
fus  Chrift,  to  the  comfort  of  the  honeft- 
hearted.  I  went  that  night  to  Flulhing; 
and  the  next  day,  in  company  with  my  be- 
loved friend  Matthew  Franklin,  we  croffed 
the  ferry  at  White-Stone  ;  were  at  three  meet- 
ings on  the  main,  and  then  returned  to  the 
ifland ;  where  I  fpent  the  remainder  of  the 
week  in  vifiting  meetings.  The  Lord,  I  be- 
lieve, hath  a  people  in  thofe  parts,  who  are 
honeftly  inclined  to  ferve  him  ;  but  many,  I 
fear,  are  too  much  clogged  with  the  things 
of  this  life,  and  dp  not  come  forward  bear- 
ing 


44     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

ing  the  crofs  in  fuch  faithfulnefs  as  he  calls 
for. 

My  mind  was  deeply  engaged  in  this  vifit, 
both  in  public  and  private  ;  and,  at  feveral 
places  where  I  was,  on  obferving  that  they 
had  flaves,  I  found  myfelf  under  a  neceflity, 
in  a  friendly  way,  to  labour  with  them  on 
that  fubjeft ;  expreffing,  as  way  opened,  the 
inconfiflency  of  that  pra(5lice  with  the  purity 
of  the  chriftian  religion,  and  the  ill  effedls  of 
it  manifefted  amongft  us. 

The  latter  end  of  the  week,  their  yearly-' 
meeting  began  ;  at  which  were  our  friends 
John  Scarbrough,  Jane  Hofkins,  and  Sufan- 
nah  Brown,  from  Pennfylvania  :  the  publick 
meetings  were  large,  and  meafurably  favour- 
ed with  divine  goodnefs. 

The  exercife  of  my  mind,  at  this  meetings 
was  chiefly  on  account  of  thofe  who  were 
conhdered  as  the  foremoft  rank  in  the  foci- 
ety  :  and  in  a  meeting  of  minifters  and  el- 
ders, way  opened,  that  I  exprefled  in  fome 
meafure  what  lay  upon  me  ;  and  at  a  time 
when  friends  were  met  for  tranfadling  the 
affairs  of  the  church,  having  fet  a  while  fi- 
lent,  I  felt  a  weight  on  my  mind,  and  flood 
up ;  and,  through  the  gracious  regard  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  flrength  was  given  fully 
to  clear  myfelf  of  a  burthen,  which  for  fome 
days  had  been  increaflng  upon  me. 

Through  the  humbling  difpenfations  of 
Divine  Providence,  men  are  fometimes  fitted 
for  his  fervice.  The  meffages  of  the  prophet 
Jeixmiah  were  fo  difagreeable  to  the  people, 

and 


blF    JOHN   WOOL  MAR  45 


and  fo  reverfe  to  the  fpirit  they  lived  in,  that 
he  became  the  objedl  of  their  reproach  ;  and 
in  the  weaknefs  of  nature,  thought  of  delift- 
ing  from  his  prophetick  office ;  but,  faith  hcj 
His  word  was  in  my  heart  as  a  burning 
fire  fliut  up  in  my  bones  ;  and  I  was  weary 
with  forbearing^  and  could  not  ftay/'  I 
faw  at  this  time,  that  if  I  was  honeft  in  de- 
claring that  which  truth  opened  in  me,  I 
could  not  pleafe  all  men  ;  and  laboured  to 
be  content  in  the  way  of  my  duty,  however 
difagreeable  to  my  own  inclination.  After 
this  I  went  homeward,  taking  Woodbridge 
and  Plainfield  in  my  way  ;  in  both  which 
meetings,  the  pure  influence  of  divine  love 
was  manifefted ;  in  an  humbling  fenfe  where- 
of I  went  home  :  having  been  out  about 
twenty-four  days,  and  rode  about  three 
hvmdred  and  fixteen  miles. 

While  I  was  out  on  this  journey,  my  heart 
was  much  affedled  with  a  fenfe  of  the  ftate 
of  the  churches  in  our  fouthern  provinces  ; 
and  believing  the  Lord  was  calling  me  to 
fome  further  labour  amongft  them,  I  was 
bowed  in  reverence  before  him,  with  fervent 
defires  that  I  might  find  ftrength  to  refign 
myfelf  up  to  his  heavenly  will. 

Until  this  year,  1756,  I  continued  to  re- 
tail goods,  befides  following  my  trade  as  a 
taylor  ;  about  which  time,  I  grew  uneafy 
on  account  of  my  bufinefs  growing  too  cum- 
berfome.  I  had  began  with  felfing  trim- 
mings for  garments,  and  from  thence  pro- 
ceeded to  fell  cloths  and  finens  ;  and,  at 

length. 


46     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

length,  having  got  a  coniiderable  fliop  of 
goods,  my  trade  increafed  every  year,  and 
the  road  to  large  bufinefs  appeared  open ;  but 
I  felt  a  Itop  in  my  mind. 

Through  the  mercies  of  the  Almighty,  I 
had,  in  a  good  degree,  learned  to  be  content 
with  a  plain  w^ay  of  living  :  I  had  but  a 
Imall  family ;  and  on  ferious  confideration, 
I  believed  truth  did  not  require  me  to  engage 
in  much  cumbering  aifairs :  it  had  been  my 
general  practice  to  buy  and  fell  things  really 
ufeful :  things  that  ferved  chiefly  to  pleafe  the 
vain  mind  in  people,  I  v^as  not  eafy  to  trade 
in ;  feldom  did  it  ;  and  w^henever  I  did,  I 
found  it  w^eaken  me  as  a  chriftian. 

The  increafe  of  bufinefs  became  my  bur- 
then J  for  though  my  natural  inclination  was 
toward  merchandize,  yet  I  believed  truth  re-* 
quired  me  to  live  more  free  from  outward 
cumbers  :  and  there  was  now  a  ftrife  in  my 
mind  between  the  two ;  and  in  this  exercife 
my  prayers  were  put  up  to  the  Lord,  who 
gracioufly  heard  me,  and  gave  me  a  heart  re- 
figned  to  his  holy  will :  then  I  lelTened  my 
outward  bufinefs ;  and,  as  I  had  opportuni-^ 
ty,  told  my  cuftomers  of  my  intentions,  that 
they  might  conlider  what  fliop  to  turn  to : 
and,  in  a  while,  w^ioliy  laid  down  merchan- 
dize, following  my  trade  as  a  taylor;  myfelf 
only,  having  no  apprentice.  I  alfo  had  a 
nurfery  of  apple-trees  ;  in  which  I  employed 
fome  of  my  time  in  hoeing,  grafting,  trim- 
ming, and  inoculating.  In  merchandife  it 
is  the  cuftom,  where  1  lived,  to  fell  chiefly 

on 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  47 

®n  credit,  and  poor  people  often  get  in  debt ; 
and  when  payment  is  expedled,  not  having 
wherewith  to  pay,  their  creditors  often  fuc 
for  it  at  law.  Having  often  obferved  occur- 
rences of  this  kind,  I  found  it  good  for  me 
to  advife  poor  people  to  take  fuch  goods  as 
were  moft  ufeful  and  not  coftly. 

In  the  time  of  trading,  I  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  leeing,  that  the  too  liberal  ufe  of  fpi- 
rituous  liquors,  and  the  cuftom  of  wearing 
too  coftly  apparel,  led  fome  people  into  great 
inconveniencies  ;  and  thefe  two  things  appear 
to  be  often  connedled  one  with  the  other ;  for 
by  not  attending  to  that  ufe  of  things  vv^hicli 
is  conlifcent  with  univerfal  right eoufnefs, 
there  is  an  increafe  of  labour  which  extends 
beyond  what  our  heavenly  Father  intends  for 
us  :  and  by  great  labour,  and  often  by  much 
fweating,  there  is,  even  among  fuch  who  are 
not  drvmkards,  a  craving  of  fome  liquors  to 
revive  the  fpirits  :  that  partly  by  the  luxuri- 
ous drinking  of  fome,  and  partly  by  the 
drinking  of  others,  (led  to  it  through  immo- 
derate labour)  very  great  quantities  of  rum 
are  every  year  expended  in  our  colonies  ;  the 
greater  part  of  which  we  fliould  have  no  need 
of,  did  we  fteadily  attend  to  pure  wifdom. 

Where  men  take  pleafure  in  feeling  their 
minds  elevateds  with  ftrong  drink,  and  fo  in- 
dulge their  appetite  as  to  diforder  their  un- 
derftandings,  negie6l  their  duty  as  members 
in  a  family  or  civil  fociety,  and  cafl  off  all 
regard  to  religion,  th^ir  cafe  is  much  to  be 
pitied  J  and  where  fuch  whofe  lives  are  for 

the  ^ 


48     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

the  moft  paft  regular,  and  whofe  examples 
have  a  ftrong  influence  on  the  minds  of 
others,  adhere  to  feme  cuftoms  which  power- 
fully draw  to  the  ufe  of  more  ftrong  liquor 
than  pure  wifdom  allows  ;  this  alfo,  as  it 
hinders  the  fpreading  of  the  fpirit  of  meek- 
nefs,  and  fhrengthens  the  hands  of  the  more 
cxceflive  drinkers,  is  a  cafe  to  be  lamented. 

As  every  degree  of  luxury  hath  fome  con- 
nexion with  evil ;  for  thofe  who  profefs  to  be 
difciples  of  Chrift,  and  are  looked  upon  as 
leaders  of  the  people,  to  have  that  mind  in 
them,  which  was  alfo  in  Chrift^  and  fo  ftand 
feparate  from  every  wrong  w^ay,  is  a  means 
of  help  to  the  weaker.  As  I  have  fometimes 
been  much  fpent  in  the  heat,  and  taken  fpi- 
rits  to  revive  me,  I  have  found  by  experi- 
ence, that  in  fuch  circumftances  the  mind  is 
not  fo  calm,  nor  fo  fitly  difpofed  for  divine 
meditation,  as  when  all  fuch  extremes  are 
avoided ;  and  I  have  felt  an  increafing  care 
to  attend  to  that  holy  Spirit  which  fets  right 
bounds  to  our  deiires  ;  and  leads  thofe  who 
faithfully  follovv^  it,  to  apply  all  the  gifts  of 
Divine  Providence  to  the  purpofes  for  which 
they  were  intended.  Did  fuch  who  have  the 
care  of  great  eftates,  attend  with  finglenefs 
of  heart  to  this  heavenly  Inftrudtor,  which 
fb  opens  and  enlarges  the  mind,  that  men 
love  their  neighbours  as  themfelves,  they 
would  have  wifdom  given  them  to  manage, 
without  finding  occafion  to  employ  fome  peo- 
ple in  the  luxuries  of  life,  or  to  make  it  ne- 
ceffary  for  others  to  labour  too  hard  ;  but  for 

want 


<?F    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  49 


want  of  fteadlly  regarding  this  principle  of 
divine  love,  a  felfilli  fpirit  takes  place  in  the 
minds  of  people,  which  is  attended  with 
darknefs  aiid  manifold  confufions  in  the 
world. 

Though  trading  in  things  ufeful  is  an  ho- 
neft  employ ;  yet,  through  the  great  number 
of  fiiperfluities  which  are  bought  and  fold, 
and  through  the  corruption  of  the  times, 
they  who  apply  to  merchandize  for  a  living, 
have  great  need  to  be  well  experienced  in  that 
precept  which  the  prophet  Jeremiah  laid  down 
for  his  fcribe:  Seekeft  thou  great  things 
"  for  thyfeh^?  feek  them  not." 

In  the  w^inter,  this  year,  I  was  engaged 
with  friends  in  vifiting  families ;  and,  thro' 
the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  we  had  oftentimes 
experience  of  his  heart-^tendering  prefence 
amongft  us* 

A  copy  of  a  letter  wrote  to  a  friend. 

T  N  this  thy  late  afHidlion  I  have  found  a 
deep  fellow-feeling  with  thee  ;  and  had  a 
fecret  hope  throughout,  that  it  might  pleafe 
the  Father  of  mercies  to  raife  thee  up,  and 
fandlify  thy  troubles  to  thee  ;  that  thou  be- 
ing more  fully  acquainted  with  that  way 
which  the  Vs^orld  efteems  foolilh,  may  feel  the 
cloathing  of  divine  fortitude,  and  be  ilrength- 
ened  to  refift  that  fpirit  which  leads  from  the 
fimplicity  of  the  everlafcing  truth. 

E  We 


50    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

We  may  fee  ourfelves  crippled  and  halt-* 
ing,  and  from  a  ftrong  bias  to  things  plea- 
fant  and  eafy,  find  an  impolTibility  to  advance 
forward ;  but  things  impoiTible  with  men  are 
poffible  with  God ;  and  our  wills  being  made 
fubjedt  to  his,  all  temptations  are  furmount- 
able/ 

This  work  of  fubjedling  the  will,  is  com- 
pared to  the  mineral  in  the  furnace  ;  which, 
thro'  fervent  heat,  is  reduced  from  its  firft 
principle  :  He  refines  them  as  filver  is 
refined — He  fhall  fit  as  a  refiner,  and  pu- 
rifier  of  filver.'^  By  thefe  comparifons,- 
we  are  inflru6led  in  the  necefilty  of  the  melt- 
ing operation  of  the  hand  of  Gad  upon  us, 
to  prepare  our  hearts  truly  to  adore  him,  and 
manifeft:  that  adoration,  by  inwardly  turn-*- 
ing  away  from  that  fpirit  in  all  its  workings, 
which  is  not  of  him.  To  forward  this  Vvrork, 
the  all-wife  God  is  fometimes  pleafed,  thro' 
outward  diftrefs,  to  bring  us  near  the  gates 
of  death ;  that  life  being  painful  and  afflicl- 
ing,  and  the  profpe6l  of  eternity  open  before 
us,  all  earthly  bonds  may  be  loofened,  and 
the  mind  prepared  for  that  deep  and  facred 
inftrudlion,  which  otherwife  would  not  be 
-received.  If  kind  parents  love  their  children 
and  delight  in  their  happinefs,  then  He,  who 
is  perfedl  goodnefs  in  fending  abroad  mortal 
contagions,  doth  afliiredly  direct  their  ufe^ — 
Are  the  righteous  removed  by  it,  their  change 
is  happy  ;  are  the  wicked  taken  away  in  their 
wickednefs,  the  Almighty  is  clear:  Do  we 

pafs 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  51 

pafs  through  with  anguifli  and  great  bitter-* 
nefs,  and  yet  recover,  He  intends  that  we 
fhould  be  purged  from  drofs,  and  our  ear 
opened  to  difcipHne. 

And  now  on  thy  part^  after  thy  fore  af- 
flidlion  and  doubts  of  recovery,  thou,  art 
again  reftored,  forget  not  Him  who  hath 
helped  thee;  but  in  humble  gratitude  hold 
faft  his  inftrudlions,  thereby  to  fliun  thofe 
bye  paths  which  lead  from  the  firm  founda- 
tion. I  am  feniible  of  that  variety  of  com- 
pany, to  which  one  in  thy  btifinefs  muft  be 
expofed :  I  have  painfully  felt  the  force  of 
converfation  proceeding  from  men  deeply 
rooted  in  an  earthly  mind,  and  can  fympa- 
thize  with  others  in  fuch  conflicts,  in  that 
much  weaknefs  ftili  attends  me. 

I  find  that  to  be  a  fool  as  to  worldly  wif- 
dom,  and  commit  my  caufe  to  God,  not  fear- 
ing to  offend  men,  v/ho  take  offence  at  the 
fimplicity  of  truth,  is  the  only  way  to  re- 
main unmoved  at  the  fentiments  of  others. 

The  fear  of  man  brings  a  fnare  ;  by  halt- 
ing in  our  duty,  and  giving  back  in  the  time  ' 
of  trial,  our  hands  grow  weaker,  our  fpirits 
get  mingled  with  the  people,  our  ears  grovsr 
dull  as  to  hearing  the  language  of  the  true 
Shepherd  ;  that  when  we  look  at  the  way  of 
the  righteous,  it  feems  as  though  it  v/as  not 
for  us  to  follovvT  them. 

There  is  a  love  clothes  my  mind  while  I 
write,  which  is  fuperior  to  all  expreiTions  ; 
and  I  find  my  heart  open  to  encourage  to  a 
holy  emulation,  to  advance  forward  in  chrifl-* 

E  2  tian 


52    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


ian  firmnefs.  Deep  humility  is  a  flrpng  bul- 
wark ;  and  as  we  enter*  into  it,  we  find  faftg- 
ty  and  true  exaltation :  the  foolifhnefs  of  God 
is  wifer  than  man,  and  the  weaknefs  of  God 
is  ftronger  than  man.  Being  uncloathed  of 
our  own  wifdom,  and  knowing  the  abafe- 
ment  of  the  creature,  therein  we  find  that 
power  to  arife,  which  gives  health  and  vigor 
to  us. 


CHAP.  W. 

His  viftthig  the  families  of  friends  at  BiirUng^ 
ton^y^  His  journey  to  Pennfylvama^  Mary-^ 
land^  Virginia^  and  North-Carolina ^Confi-* 
derations  on  the  Jlate  of  friends  there  ;  and 
the  exercife  he  nvas  under  in  tra^Velling  among 
thofe  fo  generally  concerned  in  keeping  Jlaues : 
"with  fome  obfervations  in  converfation^  at  fe- 
deral times ^  on  this  fuhjeB  —  His  epifle  to 
friends  at  Neuo-Garden  and  Cane-Creek  — « 
His  thoughts  on  the  neglcB  of  a  religious 
care  in  the  education  of  the  negroes. 

TH  E  thirteenth  day  of  the  fecond  month, 
in  the  year  1757,  being  then  in  good 
health,  and  abroad  with  friends  vifiting  fa-  < 
mllies,  I  lodged  at  a  friend's  houfe,  in  Bur- 
lington ;  and  going  to  bed  about  the  time 
ufual  with  me,  I  awoke  in  the  night,  and 

my 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  53 


mj  meditations,  as  I  lay,  were  on  the  good- 
nefs  and  mercy  of  the  Lord  ;  in  a  fenfe 
whereof  my  heart  was  contrite :  after  this,  I 
went  to  fleep  again  ;  and  fleeping  a  fliort 
time,  I  awoke  ;  it  was  yet  dark,  and  no  ap- 
pearance of  day  nor  moonfhine  ;  and  as  I 
opened  mine  eyes,  I  faw  a  hght  in  my  cham- 
ber at  the  apparent  diftance  of  five  feet,  about 
nine  inches  diameter,  of  a  clear  eafy  bright- 
nefs,  and  near  its  center  the  mod  radiant : 
as  I  lay  ftiU  without  any  furprize  looking 
upon  it,  words  were  fpoken  to  my  inward 
ear,  which  filled  my  whole  inward  man  ; 
they  were  not  the  efFedl  of  thought,  nor  any 
conclufion  in  relation  to  the  appearance,  but 
as  the  language  of  the  Holy  One  fpoken  in 
my  mind  ;  the  words  were.  Certain  Evi- 
dence OF  Divine  Truth;  and  were  again 
repeated  exadlly  in  the  fame  manner ;  where--  ^ 
upon  the  light  difappeared.  J 

Feeling  the  exercife  in  relation  to  a 
vifit  to  the  Southern  Pi^ovinces  to  increafe 
upon  me,  I  acquainted  our  monthly-meeting 
therewith,  and  obtained  their  certificate :  ex- 
pe(5ting  to  go  alone,  one  of  my  brothers,  who 
lived  in  Philadelphia,  having  fome  bufinefs 
in  North-Carolina,  propofed  going  with  me 
part  of  the  way ;  but  as  he  had  a  view  of 
fome  outvsrard  affairs,  to  accept  of  him  as  a 
companion  feemed  fome  difliculty  with  me, 
whereupon  I  had  converfation  with  him  at 
fundry  times  ;  and,  at  length,  feeling  eafy  in 
my  mind,  I  had  converfation  with  feveral  el- 
derly friends  of  Philadelphia  on  the  fubjed: ; 


54    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

and  he  obtaining  a  certificate  fiiitable  to  the 
occafion,  we  let  ofF  in  the  fifth  month  of  the 
year  1757  :  and  coming  to  Nottingham  week- 
day meeting,  lodged  at  John  Churchman's  ; 
and  here  I  met  with  our  friend  Benjamin 
Buffington,  from  New-England,  who  was  re- 
turning from  a  vifit  to  the  Southern  Pro- 
vinces. Thence  we  crolTed  the  river  Suf- 
quehannah,  and  lodged  at  William  Cox's  in 
Maryland ;  and  foon  after  T  entered  this  pro- 
vince, a  deep  and  painful  exercife  came  up^n 
me,  which  I  often  had  fome  feeling  of  fince 
my  mind  was  drawn  toward  thefe  parts,  and 
with  which  I  had  acquainted  my  brother  be- 
fore we  agreed  to  join  as  companions. 

As  the  people  in  this  and  the  Southern  Pro- 
vinces live  much  on  the  labour  of  Haves, 
many  of  whom  are  ufed  hardly,  my  con- 
cern was,  that  I  might  attend  with  fingleneis 
of  heart  to  the  voice  of  the  true  Shepherd, 
and  be  fo  fupported  as  to  remain  unmoved 
at  the  faces  of  men. 

As  it  is  common  for  friends  on  fuch  a  vi- 
fit to  have  entertainment  free  of  coft,  a  dif- 
ficulty arofe  in  my  mind  with  refpeft  to 
faving  my  money  by  kindnefs  received, 
which  to  me  appeared  to  be  the  gain  of  op- 
preffion. 

Receiving  a  gift,  confidered  as  a  gift, 
brings  the  receiver  under  obligations  to  the 
benefactor,  and  has  a  natural  tendency  to 
draw  the  obliged  into  a  party  with  the  giver. 
To  prevent  difficulties  of  this  kind,  and  to 
preferve  the  minds  of  judges  from  any  bias, 

was 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  55 

was  that  divine  prohibition  ;  "  Thou  fhalt 

not  receive  any  gift :  for  a  gift  bhndeth 
^'  the  wife,  and  perverteth  the  words  of  the 

righteous.''  Exod.  xxiii,  8/  As  the  difci- 
pies  were  fent  forth  without  any  provilion  for 
their  journey,  and  our  Lord  faid  the  work- 
man is  worthy  of  his  meat,  their  labour  in 
the  gofpel  was  conhdex'ed  as  a  reward  for 
their  entertainment,  and  therefore  not  re- 
ceived as  a  gift;  yet,  in  regard  to  my  prefent 
journey,  I  could  not  fee  my  way  clear  in  that 
refpecft.  The  difference  appeared  thus  :  The 
entertainment  the  difciples  met  with,  was 
from  fuch  whofe  hearts  God  had  opened  to 
receive  them,  from  a  love  to  them,  and  the 
truth  they  publifhed  :  but  we,  confidered  as 
members  of  the  fame  religious  fociety,  look 
Vipon  it  as  a  piece  of  civility  to  receive  each 
other  in  fuch  vifits  ;  and  fuch  reception,  at 
tinies,  is  partly  in  regard  to  reputation,  and 
not  from  an  inward  unity  of  heart  and  fpi- 
rit,  Condu(?c  is  more  convincing  than  lan-^ 
guage  ;  and  where  people,  by  their  actions , 
manifeit  that  the  flave-trade  is  not  fo  difa- 
greeabie  to  their  principles  but  that  it  may 
he  encouraged,  there  is  not  a  found  uniting 
with  fome  friends  who  vifit  them. 

The  profpe6l  of  fo  weighty  a  work,  and  be- 
ing fo  diftinguifhed  from  many  who  I  ef- 
teemed  before  myfelf,  brought  me  very  low  ; 
and  fuch  v/ere  the  conflidls  of  my  foul,  that 
I  had  a  near  fympathy  with  the  prophet,  in 
the  time  of  his  weaknefs,  when  he  faid,  "  If 

thou  deal  thus  with  me,  kill  me,  I  pray 

'  "  thee^ 


56    The  LIFE  aKd  TRAVELS 


thee,  if  I  Lave  found  favour  in  thy  fight 
Numb.  XI.  15.  but  I  foon  faw  that  this  pro- 
ceeded from  the  v/ant  of  a  full  relignation  to 
the  divine  will.  Many  were  the  affli(5lions 
v^hich  attended  me  ;  and  in  great  abafement, 
with  many  tears,  rny  cries  were  to  the  Al- 
mighty, for  his  gracious  and  fatherly  affift- 
ance  ;  and  then,  after  a  time  of  deep  trial, 
I  was  favoured  to  underfhand  the  ftate  men- 
tioned by  the  pfalmift  more  clearly  than  ever 
I  had  before ;  to  wit :      My  foul  is  even  as 

a  weaned  child,"  Pfalm  cxxxi.  2.  Being 
thus  helped  to  link  down  into  refignation,  I 
felt  a  deliverance  frorn  that  temped  in  which 
I  had  been  forely  exercifed,  and  in  calmnefs 
of  mind  went  forward,  trufting  that  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  as  I  faithfully  attended  to  him, 
would  be  a  councellor  to  me  in  all  difficul- 
ties ;  and  that  by  his  ftrength  I  fliould  be  en- 
abled even  to  leave  money  w4th  the  members 
of  fociety  where  I  had  entertainment,  when 
I  found  that  omitting  of  it  would  obftrucfl 
that  work  to  which  I  believed  he  had  called 
me :  and  as  I  copy  this  after  my  return,  I 
may  here  add,  that  oftentimes  I  did  fo,  under  a 
fenfe  of  duty ;  the  way  in  which  I  did  it  was 
thus  :  when  I  expecled  foon  to  leave  a  friend's 
houfe  where  I  had  entertainment,  if  I  be- 
lieved that  I  fliould  not  keep  clear  from  the 
gain  of  oppreffion  without  leaving  money,  I 
fpoke  to  one  of  the  heads  of  the  family  pri- 
vately, and  defired  them  to  accept  of  them 
pieces  of  filver,  and  give  them  to  fuch  of 
their  negroes  as  they  believed  would  make 

the 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  57 


the  beft  ufe  of  them  ;  and  at  other  times,  I 
gave  them  to  the  negroes  myfelf,  as  the  way 
looked  cleareft  to  me :  as  I  exped:ed  this  be- 
fore I  caiifie  out,  I  had  provided  a  large  num- 
ber of  fmall  pieces  ;  and  thus  offering  them 
to  fome  who  appeared  to  be  wealthy  people, 
^  was  a  trial  both  to  me  and  them :  but  the 
fear  of  the  Lord  fo  covered  me  at  times,  that 
my  way  was  made  eafier  than  I  expected  } 
and  few,  if  any,  manifefted  any  refentment 
at  the  offer,  and  moft  of  them,  after  fome 
talk,  accepted  of  them. 

The  feventh  day  of  the  fifth  month,  in  the 
year  1757,  lodged  at  a  friend's  houfe  ;  and 
the  next  day,  being  the  firft  of  the  week,  was 
at  Potapfco  meeting  ;  then  crolfed  Patuxent 
river,  and  lodged  at  a  publick-houfe. 

On  the  ninth  breakfafled  at  a  friend's 
houfe  J  who  aftervv^ard,  putting  us  a  little  on 
pur  way,  I  had  converfation  with  him,  in 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  concerning  his  flaves ; 
ill  which  my  heart  was  tender,  and  I  ufed 
much  plainnefs  of  fpeech  with  him,  which  he 
appeared  to  take  kindly.  We  purfued  our 
journey  without  appointing  meetings,  being 
preffed  in  my  mind  to  be  at  the  yearly-meet- 
ing in  Virginia ;  and  in  my  travelling  on  the 
road,  I  often  felt  a  cry  rife  from  the  center 
of  my  mind,  thus  :  O  Lord,  I  am  a  ftran- 
ger  on  the  earth,  hide  not  thy  face  from  me. 
On  the  eleventh  day  of  the  fifth  month,  we 
croffed  the  rivers  Patowmack  and  Rapahan- 
nock,  and  lodged  at  Port-Royal :  and  on  the 
way  we  happening  in  company  with  a  colo- 
nel 


58     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

nel  of  the  militia,  who  appeared  to  be  a 
thoughtful  man  ;  I  took  occalion  to  remark 
on  the  difference  in  general  betwixt  a  people 
ufed  to  labour  moderately  for  their  living, 
|:raining  up  their  children  in  frugality  and 
bufinefs,  and  thofe  who  live  on  the  labour  of 
flaves ;  the  former,  in  my  view,  being  the 
moft  happy  life :  with  which  he  concurred, 
and  mentioned  the  trouble  arifing  from  the 
untoward,  flothful  difpofition  of  the  negroes ; 
adding,  that  one  of  our  labourers  would  do 
as  much  in  a  day  as  two  of  their  flaves.  I 
replied,  that  free  men,  whofe  minds  were 
properly  on  their  bufinefs,  found  a  fatisfac-? 
tion  in  improving,  cultivating,  and  providing 
for  their  families  ;  but  negroes,  labpuring  to 
fupport  others  who  claim  them  as  their  pro- 
perty, and  expe6ling  nothing  but  flavery 
during  life,  had  not  the  like  inducement  to 
be  induilrious. 

After  fome  further  converfation,  I  faid, 
that  men  having  power,  too  often  mifapr^ 
plied  it ;  that  though  we  made  flaves  of  the 
negroes,  and  the  Turks  made  flaves  of  the 
Chrifl:ians,  I  however  believed  that  liberty 
was  the  natural  right  of  all  men  equally  : 
which  he  did  not  deny ;  but  faid,  the  lives 
of  the  negroes  were  fo  wretched  in  their  own 
country,  that  many  of  them  lived  better  here 
than  there  :  I  only  faid,  there  is  great  odds 
in  regard  to  us,  on  what  principle  we  adl; 
and  fo  the  converfation  on  that  fubjecl  ended : 
^nd  I  may  here  add,  that  another  perfon, 
fome  time  afterward,  mentioned  the  wretct^? 

ednefs. 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  59 


ednefs  of  the  negroes,  occafioned  by  their 
intefline  wars,  as  an  argument  in  favour  of 
our  fetching  them  away  for  flaves :  to  which 
I  then  rephed,  if  compaffion  on  the  Africans, 
in  regard  to  their  domeftic  troubles,  were  the 
real  motives  of  our  purchafing  them,  that 
fpirit  of  tendernefs  being  attended  to,  would 
incite  us  to  ufe  them  kindly ;  that  as  ftran- 
gers  brought  out  of  afflidlion,  their  lives 
might  be  happy  among  us  ;  and  as  they  are 
human  creatures,  whofe  fouls  are  as  precious 
as  ours,  and  who  may  receive  the  fame  help 
and  comfort  from  the  holy  fcriptures  as  we 
do,  we  could  not  omit  fuitable  endeavours  to 
inftru6l  them  therein :  but  while  we  mani- 
feft  by  our  condudl,  that  our  view^s  in  pur- 
chafing them  are  to  advance  ourfelves  ;  and 
while  our  buying  captives  taken  in  war,  ani- 
mates thofe  parties  to  pufh  on  that  war,  and 
increafe  defolation  amongft  them ;  to  fay  they 
live  unhappy  in  Africa,  is  far  from  being 
an  argument  in  pur  favour  :  and  I  fuxther 
faid,  the  prefent  circumftances  of  thefe  pro- 
vinces to  me  appear  difficult ;  that  the  flaves 
look  like  a  burthenfome  flone  to  fuch  who 
burthen  themfelves  with  them  ;  and  that  if 
the  white  people  retain  a  refolution  to  prefer 
their  outward  profpedls  of  gain  to  all  other 
coniiderations,  and  do  not  adl  confcientiouf- 
ly  toward  them  as  fellow-creatures,  I  believe 
that  burthen  will  grow  heavier  and  heavier, 
till  times  change  in  a  way  difagreeable  to  us: 
at  which  the  perfon  appeared  very  ferious; 
and  owned,  that  in  ^onfidering  their  condi- 

tioUj 


6o     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


tion,  and  the  manner  of  their  treatment  in 
thefe  provinces,  he  had  fometimes  thought  it 
might  be  juft  in  the  Ahnighty  fo  to  order  it. 

Having  thus  travelled  through  Maryland^ 
tve  came  amongft  friends  at  Cedar-Creek  in 
Virginia,  on  the  twelfth  day  of  the  fifth 
month  ;  and  the  next  day  rode,  in  company 
with  feveral  friends,  a  day's  journey  to  Camp- 
Creek  :  and  as  I  was  riding  along  in  the 
morning,  my  mind  was  deeply  aiTe^led  in  k 
lenfe  I  had  of  the  want  of  divine  aid  to  fup- 
port  me  in  the  various  difficulties  which  at- 
tended me ;  and  in  an  uncommon  diftrefs  of 
mind,  I  cried  in  fecret  to  the  Moft  High,  O 
Lord  be  merciful,  I  befeech  thee,  to  thy  poor 
aiHi6led  creature.  After  fome  time,  I  felt  in- 
v^ard  relief  ;  and  foon  after,  a  friend  in  com- 
pany began  to  talk  in  fupport  of  the  flave- 
trade,  and  faid,  the  negroes  were  underftood 
to  be  the  offspring  of  Cain,  their  blacknefs 
being  the  mark  God  fet  upon  him  after  he 
murthered  Abel  his  brother  ;  that  it  v/as  the 
defign  of  Providence  they  ftiould  -be  Haves, 
as  a  condition  proper  to  the  race  of  fo  wick- 
ed a  man  as  Cain  was  :  then  another  fpake 
in  fupport  of  what  had  been  faid.  To  all 
w^hich,  I  replied  in  fubftance  as  follows : 
That  Noah  and  his  family  were  all  who  fur- 
vived  the  flood,  according  to  fcripture  ;  and 
as  Noah  was  of  Seth's  race,  the  family  of 
Cain  was  wholly  deftroyed.  One  of  them 
faid,  that  after  the  flood  Ham  went  to  the 
land  of  Nod,  and  took  a  wife ;  that  Nod  was 
a  land  far  diftant,  inhabited  by  Cain's  race, 

and 


OP    JOHN   WOOL  MAR  6i 

and  that  the  flood  did  not  reach  it ;  and  as 
Ham  was  fentenced  to  be  a  fervant  of  fer- 
vants  to  his  brethren,  thefe  two  famiHes  be- 
ing thus  joined,  were  undoubtedly  fit  only 
for  flaves.  I  rephed,  the  flood  was  a  judg- 
ment upon  the  w^orld  for  their  abominations  5 
and  it  was  granted,  that  Cain's  ftock  was  the 
mofl;  wicked,  and  therefore  unreafonable  to 
fuppofe  they  were  fpared  :  as  to  Ham's  go- 
ing to  the  land  of  Nod  for  a  wife,  no  time 
being  fixed,  Nod  might  be  inhabited  by 
fome  of  Noah's  family,  before  Kam  married 
a  fecond  time  ;  moreover  the  text  faitli^ 
That  all  flefli  died  that  moved  upon  the 
earth."  Gen*  vii,  21.  I  further  reminded 
them,  how  the  prophets  repeatedly  declare, 
"  that  the  fon  fhall  not  fufFer  for  the  iniqui-* 
ty  of  the  father  ;  but  every  one  be  an- 
fwerable  for  his  own  fins,"  I  was  trou- 
bled to  perceive  the  darknefs  of  their  imagi-^ 
nations  ;  and  in  fome  prefliire  of  fpirit  laid, 
the  love  of  eafe  and  gain  are  the  motives  iii 
general  of  keeping  flaves,  and  men  are  wont 
to  take  hold  of  weak  arguments  to  fupport  a 
caufe  which  is  unreafonable  ;  and  added,  I 
have  no  interefl  on  either  fide,  fave  only  the 
interefl:  which  I  defire  to  have  in  the  truth: 
and  as  I  believe  liberty  is  their  right,  and 
fee  they  are  not  only  deprived  of  it,  but 
treated  in  other  refpedls  with  inhumanity  in 
many  places,  I  believe  He,  who  is  a  refuge 
for  the  opprefied,  will,  in  his  own  time, 
plead  their  caufe  j  and  happy  will  it  be  for 

fuch- 


62     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

fiich,  who  walk  in  upriglitnefs  before  liinl  i 
and  thus  our  converfation  ended. 

Oil  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  fifth  month 
I  was  at  Camp-Creek  monthly-meeting,  and 
then  rode  to  the  mountains  up  James-River^ 
and  had  a  meeting  at  a  friend's  houfe  ;  in 
both  which  I  felt  forrow  of  heart,  and  my 
tears  were  poured  out  before  the  Lord,  who 
was  pleafed  to  afford  a  degree  of  ftrength  by 
which  way  was  opened  to  clear  my  mind 
amongft  friends  in  thofe  places.  From  thence 
I  went  to  Fork-Creek,  and  fo  to  Cedar-Creek 
again  ;  at  which  place  I  now  had  a  meeting ; 
here  I  found  a  tender  feed :  and  as  I  was  pre- 
ferved  in  the  miniftry  to  keep  low  with  thd 
truth ;  the  fame  truth  in  their  hearts  anfwer- 
ed  it,  that  it  was  a  time  of  mutual  refrefh- 
ment  from  the  prefence  of  the  Lord.  I  lodged 
at  James  Standley's,  father  of  William  Stand- 
ley,  one  of  the  young  men  who  faffered  im- 
prifonment  at  Winchefter  la  ft  fummet,  on 
account  of  their  teftimony  againft  fighting  • 
and  I  had  fome  fatisfacflory  converfation  with 
him  concerning  it.  Hence  I  went  to  the 
Swamp-meeting,  and  to  Wayanoke-meet- 
ing  ;  and  then  crolTed  James-River,  and 
lodged  near  Burleigh.  From  the  time  of  my 
entering  Maryland  I  have  been  much  under 
forrow,  which  of  late  fo  increafed  upon  me^ 
that  my  mind  was  almo.ft  overwhelmed ;  and 
I  may  fay  vv^ith  the  pfalmift,  in  my  dif- 
trefs  L  called  upon  fhe  Lord,  and  cried  to 
my  God  who,  in  infinite  goodnefs^ 
looked  upon  my  affliction,  and  in  my  pri- 
vate 


OF  johKi  wool  mar  63 


vate  retirement  fent  the  Comforter  for  my  re- 
lief ;  for  which  I  humbly  blefs  his  holy 
nariie. 

The  fenfe  I  had  of  the  flate  of  the  churches, 
brought  a  weight  of  diflrefs  upon  me:  the 
gold  to  me  appeared  dim,  and  the  fine  gold 
changed ;  and  though  this  is  the  Cafe  too  ge- 
nerally, yet  the  fenfe  of  it  in  thefe  parts  hath, 
in  a  particular  manner,  borne  heavy  upon 
me.  It  appeared  to  me,  that  through  the 
prevailing  of  the  fpirit  of  this  w^orld,  the 
minds  of  many  were  brought  to  an  inward 
clefolation ;  and  inftead  of  the  fpirit  of  meek- 
nefs,  gentlenefs,  and  heavenly  wifdom,  which 
lire  the  necelTary  companions  of  the  true  flieep 
of  Chrift,  a  fpirit  of  fiercenefs,  and  the  love 
of  dominion,  too  generally  prevailed.  From 
finall  beginnings  in  errors,  great  buildings, 
by  degrees,  are  raifed  ;  and  from  one  age  to 
another  are  more  and  more  ftrengthened  by 
the  general  concurrence  of  the  people  :  and 
as  men  obtain  reputation  by  their  profeffion 
of  the  truth,  their  virtues  are  mentioned  as 
arguments  in  favour  of  general  error  ;  and 
thofe  of  lefs  note,  to  juftify  themfelves,  fay, 
fuch  and  fuch  good  men  did  the  like.  By 
what  other  fteps  could  the  people  of  Judali 
arife  to  that  heighth  in  wickednefs,  as  to 
give  juft  ground  for  the  prophet  Ifaiah  to  de- 
clare in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  that  7ione 
calleth  for  juftice,  nor  any  pleadeth  for 
truth:''  Ifaiah  lix.  4.  or  for  the  Almighty 
to  call  upon  the  great  city  of  Jerufalem,  jull 
before  the  Babylonifh  captivity,      If  ye  can 

find  ^ 


64     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


find  a  man,  if  there  be  any  who  executeth 
judgment,  that  feeketh  the  truth^  and  I 
will  pardon  it/'  Jer.  v.  i.  The  profpedl  of 
a  road  lying  open  to  the  fame  degeneracy,  in 
fome  parts  of  this  newly  fettled  land  of  Ame- 
rica, in  refpedl  to  our  condudl  toward  the 
negroes,  hath  deeply  bowed  my  mind  in  this 
journey;  and  though  to  briefly  relate  how 
thefe  people  are  treated  is  no  agreeable  work ; 
yet,  after  often  reading  over  the  notes  I  made 
as  I  travelled,  I  find  my  mind  engaged  to 
preferve  them.  Many  of  the  white  people  in 
thole  provinces  take  little  or  no  care  of  negro 
marriages ;  and  when  negroes  marry  after 
their  own  way,  fome  make  fo  little  account 
of  thofe  marriages,  that  with  views  of  out- 
ward intereft,  they  often  part  men  from  their 
wives  by  felling  them  far  afunder  ;  which  is 
common  when  eftates  are  fold  by  executors 
at  vendue.  Many  whofe  labour  is  heavy, 
being  followed,  at  their  bufinefs  in  the  field, 
by  a  man  with  a  whip,  hired  for  that  pur- 
pofe,  have  in  common  little  elfe  allowed  but 
pne  peck  of  Indian  corn  and  fome  fait  for 
one  week,  with  a  few  potatoes  ;  the  potatoes 
they  commonly  raife  by  their  labour  on  the 
firft  day  of  the  week. 

The  correction  enfuing  on  their  difobedi- 
ence  to  overfeers,  or  flothfulnefs  in  bufinefs, 
is  often  very  fevere,  and  fometimes  defperate. 

Men  and  women  have  many  times  fcarce 
cloaths  enough  to  hide  their  nakednefs,  and 
boys  and  girls,  ten  and  tv/elve  years  old^  are 
often  quite  naked  amongft  their  mailer's  chil- 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  65 


dren  :  fome  of  our  fociety,  and  fome  of  the 
fbciety  called  new-lights,  ufe  fome  endea- 
vours to  inftriidl  thofe  they  have  in  reading ; 
but  in  common  this  is  not  only  negled:ed, 
but  difapproved.  Thefe  are  the  people  by 
whofe  labour  the  other  inhabitants  are  in  a 
great  meafure  fupported,  and  many  of  them 
in  the  luxuries  of  life :  thefe  are  the  people 
who  have  made  no  agreement  to  ferve  us, 
and  who  have  not  forfeited  their  liberty  that 
we  know  of :  thefe  are  the  fouls  for  whom 
Chrift  died  ;  and  for  our  condudl  toward 
them,  we  muft  anfwer  before  Him  who  is 
no  refpe6ler  of  perfons. 

They  who  know  the  only  true  God,  and 
Jefus  Chrift  whom  he  hath  fent,  and  are  thus 
acquainted  with  the  merciful,  benevolent, 
gofpel  fpirit,  will  therein  perceive  that  the 
indignation  of  God  is  kindled  againft  oppref- 
iion  and  cruelty ;  and  in  beholding  the  great 
diftrefs  of  fo  numerous  a  people,  will  find 
caufe  for  mourning. 

From  my  lodgings  I  went  to  Burleigh 
meeting,  where  I  felt  my  mind  drawn  into 
a  quiet  refigned  ftate  ^  and  after  long  filence, 
I  felt  an  engagement  to  ftand  up  ;  and  thro' 
the  powerful  operation  of  divine  love,  we 
were  favoured  with  an  edifying  meeting. 
The  next  meeting  vvx  had  was  at  Black-Wa- 
ter ;  and  fo  to  the  yearly-meeting  at  the 
Weftern  Branch :  when  buiinefs  began,  fome 
queries  v/ere  conlidered,  by  fome  of  their 
members,  to  be  now  produced  ;  and  if  ap- 
proved, to  be  aufwered  nereafter  by  their  re- 

F  fpeclive 


66    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

fpedtive  monthly-meedngs.  They  were  the 
Pennfylvania  queries,  which  had  been  exa- 
mined by  a  committee  of  Virginia  yearly- 
meeting  appointed  the  laft  year,  who  made 
fome  alterations  in  them  ;  one  of  which  alte- 
rations was  made  in  favour  of  a  cuftom 
which  troubled  me.  The  query  was^  Are 
there  any  concerned  in  the  importation  of 
negroes,  or  buying  them  after  imported?'' 
which  they  altered  thus :  Are  there  any 
concerned  in  the  importation  of  negroes,  or 
buying  them  to  trade  in  As  one  query  ad- 
mitted with  unanimity  was,  Are  any  con- 
cerned in  buying  or  vending  goods  unlaw- 
fully imported,  or  prize  goods  I  found 
my  mind  engaged  to  fay ^  that  as  we  pro- 
feffed  the  truth,  and  were  there  affembled  to 
fupport  the  teftimony  of  it,  it  was  necelTary 
for  us  to  dwell  deep,  and  adl  in  that  wifdom 
wliich  is  pure  ,  or  otherwife  we  could  not 
profper,  I  then  mentioned  their  alteration  ; 
and,  referring  to  the  laft  mentioned  query, 
added,  as  puxchafing  any  merchandize  taken 
by  the  fword,  was  always  allowed  to  be  in- 
confiftent  with  our  principles  ;  negroes  be- 
ing captives  of  war,  or  taken  by  ileal th, 
tliofe  circumftances  make  it  inconfiftent  with 
our  teftimony  to  buy  theni  ;  and  their  being 
our  fellow-creatures,  who  are  fold  as  flaves, 
adds  greatly  to  the  iniquity.  Friends  ap- 
peared attentive  to  what  was  faid  ;  fome  ex- 
preffed  a  care  and  concern  abotit  their  ne- 
groes ;  none  made  any  objedlion,  by  way  of 
reply  %o  what  I  faid  j  but;  the  qtiery  was  ad- 
mitted 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN,  67 


mltted  as  they  had  altered  it.  As  fome  of  their 
members  have  heretofore  traded  in  negroes^ 
as  in  other  merchandize,  this  query^  be- 
ing admitted,  will  be  one  flep  further  than 
they  have  hitherto  gone :  and  I  did  not  fee 
it  my  duty  to  prefs  for  an  alteration  ;  but  felt 
cafy  to  leave  it  all  to  Him,  who  alone  is  able 
to  turn  the  hearts  of  the  mighty,  and  make 
way  for  tlie  fpreading  of  truth  on  the  earth, 
by  means  agreeable  to  his  infinite  wifdom. 
But  in  regard  to  thofe  they  already  had,  I 
felt  my  mind  engaged  to  labour  with  them ; 
and  faid,  that,  as  we  believe  the  fcriptures 
were  given  forth  by  holy  men,  as  they  were 
moved  by  the  Holy  Giioft,  and  many  of  us 
know  by  experience  that  they  are  often  help- 
ful and  comfortable,  and  believe  ourfelvea 
bound  in  duty  to  teach  our  children  to  read 
them,  I  believe,  that  if  we  were  divefted  of 
all  felfifli  views,  the  fame  good  fpirit  that 
gave  them  forth,  would  engage  us  to  teach 
the  negroes  to  read,  that  they  might  have  the 
benefit  of  them:  fome  there  were  amongft 
them  who,  at  this  time,  manifefted  a  concern 
in  regard  to  taking  more  care  in  the  educa- 
tion of  their  negroes. 

On  the  tv/enty-ninth  day  of  the  fifth 
month,  at  the  houfe  where  I  lodged,  was  a 
meeting  of  minifhers  and  elders,  at  the  ninth 
hour  in  the  morning ;  at  which  tibae  I  found 
an  engagement  to  fpeak  freely  and  plainly  to 
them  concerning  their  fiaves  ;  ment'-oning, 
how  they,  as  the  firft  rank  in  the  fociety, 
whofe  conduct  in  that  cafe  was,  much  noticed 

Fa  by 


68    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


by  others,^  were  under  the  ftronger  obliga** 
tions  to  look  carefully  to  themfelves  :  expref^ 
fing  how  needfvil  it  was  for  them,  in  that  fi- 
tuation,  to  be  thoroughly  divefted  of  all  felf- 
ifh  views  ;  that  living  in  the  pure  truth,  and 
acfting  confcientioufly  toward  thofe  people  in 
their  education  and  otherwife,  they  might  be 
inftrumental  in  helping  forward  a  work  fo 
exceeding  neceflary,  and  fo  much  neglected 
amongft  them.  At  the  twelfth  hour  the  meet- 
ing of  worfhip  began  ;  which  was  a  folid 
meeting, 

Gn  the  thirtieth  day,  about  the  tenth  hour, 
friends  met  to  finifh  their  bufinefs,  and  then 
the  meeting  for  worihip  enfued,  which  to  me 
was  a  laborious  time  ;  but,  through  the 
goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  truth,  I  believe,  gained 
fome  ground  ;  and  it  was  a  ftrengthening 
opportunity  to  the  honeft-hearted. 

About  this  time  I  wrote  an  epiftle  to  friends 
in  the  back  fettlements  of  North-Carohna,  as 
follows : 


To  friends  at  their  monthly-meeting  at  New- 
Garden  and  Cane-Creek,  in  North-Caroli- 
na. 

Dear  friends, 

T  T  having  pleafed  the  Lord  to  draw  me 
forl'i  on  a  vilit  to  fome  parts  of  Virginia 
and  Carolina,  you  have  often  been  irt  my 
miiid  J  and  though  my  way  is  not  clear  to 

come 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  69 


come  in  perfon  to  vifit  yoi:,  yet  I  feel  it  in 
mj  heart  to  communicate  a  few  things,  as 
they  arife  in  the  love  of  truth:  Firft,  my 
dear  friends,  dwell  in  humility  ;  and  take 
heed  that  no  views  of  outward  gain  get  too 
deep  hold,  of  you,  that  fp  your  eyes  being 
iingle  to  the  Lord,  you  may  be  preferved  in 
,the  way  of  fafety.  Where  people  let  loofe 
their  minds  after  the  love  of  outward  things, 
and  are  more  engaged  in  purfuing  the  pro- 
fits, and  feeking  the  friendfliips  of  this 
world,  than  to  be  inwardly  acquainted  with 
the  way  of  true  peace ;  fuch  walk  in  a  vain 
Shadow,  while  the  true  comfort  of  life  is 
wanting :  their  examples  are  often  hurtful  to 
others  ;  and  their  treafures,  thus  collecfled, 
do  many  times  prove  dangerous  fnares  to 
their  children. 

But  where  people  are  fincerely  devoted  to 
follow  Chrift,  and  dwell  under  the  influence 
of  his  holy  fpirit,  their  {lability  and  firm- 
nefs,  through  a  divine  bleffnig,  is  at  times 
like  dew  on  the  tender  plants  round  about 
them,  and  the  weightinefs  of  their  fpirits  fe- 
cretly  works  on  the  minds  of  others  ;  and 
in  this  condition,  through  the  fpreading  in- 
fluence of  divine  love,  they  feel  a  care  over 
the  flock  ;  and  way  is  opened  for  maintain- 
ing good  order  in  the  fociety  :  and  though 
we  meet  with  oppofition  from  another  fpirit, 
yet,  as  there  is  a  dwelling  in  meeknefs,  feel- 
ing our  fpirits  fubjed:,  and  moving  only  in 
the  gentle  peaceable  wifdom,  the  inward  re- 
w^ird  of  ^uietnefs,  v  ill  be  greater  than  all  our 

difficulties^ 


70   The  LIFE   and  TRAVELS 


diiliciilties.  Where  the  pure  life  is  kept  to^ 
and  meetings  of  difcipline  are  held  in  the 
authority  of  it,  we  find  by  experience  that 
they  are  comfortable,  and  tend  to  the  health 
of  the  body. 

While  I  write,  the  youth  comes  frefli 
in  my  way  : — Dear  young  people,  choofe 
God  for  your  portion ;  love  his  truth,  and  be 
not  afhamed  of  it ;  choofe  for  your  company 
fuch  who  ferve  him  in  uprightnefs  :  and 
fhun,  as  moft  dangerous,  the  converfation  of 
thofe  wliofe  lives  are  of  an  ill  favour  ;  for  by 
frequenting  fuch  company,  fome  hopeful 
young  people  have  come  to  great  lofs,  and 
been  drawn  from  lefs  evils  to  greater  to  their 
utter  ruin.  In  the  bloom  of  youth  no  orna- 
ment is  fo  lovely  as  that  of  virtue,  nor  any 
enjoyments  equal  to  thofe  which  we  partake 
of,  in  fully  refigning  ourfelves  to  the  divine 
will  :  thefe  enjoyments  add  fweetnefs  to  all 
other  comforts,  and  give  true  fatisfadlion  in 
company  and  converfation,  where  people  are 
mutually  acquainted  with  it ;  and  as  your 
miuds  are  thus  feafoned  with  the  truth,  you 
will  find  ftrength  to  abide  ftedfail  to  the  tel- 
timony  of  it,  and  be  prepared  for  fervices 
in  the  church. 

And  now,  dear  friends  and  brethren,  as 
you  are  improving  a  wildernefs,  and  may  be 
numbered  amongft  the  firfl  planters  in  one 
part  of  a  province,  I  befeech  you,  in  the  love 
of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  wifely  confider  the  force 
of  your  examples,  and  think  how  much  your 
fucceffors  may  be  thereby  affeded :  it  is  k 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  71 


telp  in  a  country  ;  yea,  and  a  great  favour 
and  a  bleffing,  when  cuftoms  firfl  fettled,  are 
agreeable  to  found  wifdom  :  fo  when  they  are 
Otherwife,  the  efFed:  of  them  is  grievous  ;  and 
children  feel  themfelves  encompaffed  with 
difficulties  prepared  for  them  by  their  prede- 
ceffors. 

As  moderate  care  and  exercife,  under  the 
direction  of  true  wifdom,  is  ufeful  both  to 
mind  and  body  ;  fo,  by  this  means  in  gene- 
ral, the  real  wants  of  life  are  eafily  fupplied : 
our  gracious  Father  having  fo  proportioned 
one  to  the  other,  that  keeping  in  the  true 
medium  we  may  pafs  on  quietly.  Where 
llaves  are  purchafed  to  do  our  labour,  nume- 
rous difficulties  attend  it.  To  rational  crea- 
tures bondage  is  uneafy,  and  frequently  oc- 
cafions  fournefs  and  difcontent  in  them; 
which  afFe^ls  the  family,  and  fuch  who  claim 
the  maftery  over  them  :  and  thus  people  and 
their  children  are  many  times  encompafled 
with  vexations,  which  arife  from  their  ap- 
plying to  wrong  methods  to  get  a  living. 

I  have  been  informed  that  there  are  a 
large  number  of  friends  in  your  parts,  who 
have  no  Haves ;  and  in  tender  and  moft  af- 
fectionate love,  I  befeech  you  to  keep  clear 
from  purchafing  any.  Look,  my  clear  friends, 
to  Divine  Providence ;  and  follow  in  jLimpli- 
city  that  exercife  of  body,  that  plainnefs  and 
frugality,  which  true  wifdom  leads  to  ;  ib 
may  you  be  prpferved  from  thofe  dangers 
which  attend  fuch  who  are  aiming  at  out- 
ward eafc  and  greatnefs, 

Treafarcs^ 


72    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

Treafures,  though  fmall,  attained  on  a 
true  principle  of  virtue,  are  fweet  in  the 
poffelTion ;  and  while  we  walk  in  the  light  of 
the  Lord,  there  is  true  comfort  and  fatisfac- 
tion.  Here,  neither  the  murmurs  of  an  op- 
prelTed  people,  nor  throbbing  uneafy  confci- 
ehce,  nor  anxious  thoughts  about  the  events 
of  things,  hinder  the  enjoyment  of  it. 

When  we  look  toward  the  end  of  life,  and 
think  on  the  diviiion  of  our  fubftance  among 
our  lliccelTors  ;  if  we  know  that  it  was  col- 
ledled  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  in  honefty,  in 
equity,  and  in  uprightnefs  of  heart  before 
him,  we  may  conlider  it  as  his  gift  to  us  ; 
and  with  a  fingle  eye  to  his  blelling,  beftow 
it  on  thofe  we  leave  behind  us.  Such  is  the 
happiuefs  of  the  plain  ways  of  true  virtue. 

The  work  of  righteoufnefs  lhall  be  peace ; 

and  the  effecfh  of  righteoufnefs,  quietnefs 

and  affurance  for  ever.''  Ifa.  xxxii.  17. 

Dwell  here,  my  dear  friends  ;  and  then  in 
remote  and  folitary  deferts,  you  may  find 
true  peace  and  fatisfa6tion.  If  the  Lord  be 
our  God,  in  truth  and  reality,  there  is  fafe- 
ty  for  us  ;  for  he  is  a  ftrong  hold  in  the  day 
of  trovible,  and  knoweth  them  that  truft  in 
him. 

Ifle  of  Wight  County,  in  Virginia, 
29Ch  of  the  5th  month,  1757. 


From 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAR  73 


From  the  yearly-meeting  in  Virginia,  I 
went  to  Carolina ;  and  on  the  firfl  day  of  the 
iixth  month,  was  at  Wells  monthly-meeting, 
where  the  fpring  of  the  gofpel  miniftry  was 
opened,  and  the  love  of  Jefus  Chrift  experi- 
enced amongft  us :  to  his  name  be  the  praife. 

Here  my  brother  joined  with  fome  friends 
from  New-Garden,  who  were  going  home- 
ward ;  and  I  went  next  to  Simons-Creek 
monthly-meeting,  where  I  was  filent  during 
the  meeting  for  worihip  :  and  when  bufinefs 
came  on,  my  mind  was  exercifed  concerning 
the  poor  ilaves  ;  but  did  not  feel  my  way  clear 
to  fpeak:  in  this  condition  I  was  bowed  in 
fpirit  before  the  Lord  ;  and  with  tears  and 
inward  fupplication  befought  him,  fo  to  open 
my  underftanding,  that  I  might  know  his 
will  concerning  me ;  and,  at  length,  my 
mind  was  fettled. in  filence  :  near  the  end  of 
their  bufinefs,  a  member  of  their  meeting 
exprefl  a  concern,  that  had  fome  time  lain 
upon  him,  on  account  of  friends  fo  much 
negle(5ling  their  duty  in  the  education  of 
their  Ilaves ;  and  propofed  having  meetings 
fomecimes  appointed  for  them  on  a  week- 
day, to  be  only  attended  by  fome  friends  to 
be  named  in  their  monthly-meetings  :  many 
prefent  appeared  to  unite  with  the  propofal : 
one  faid,  he  had  often  wondered  that  they, 
being  our  fellow-creatures  and  capable  of  re- 
ligious underftanding,  had  beenfo  exceeding- 
ly negledled :  another  exprefled  the  like  con- 
cern, and  appeared  zealous,  that  friends,  in 
future,  might  more  clofely  confider  it  ;  at 

length 


74     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


length  a  minvite  was  made  ;  and  the  further 
coniideration  of  it  referred  to  their  next 
monthly-meeting.  The  friend  who  made  this 
propofal  hath  negroes  :  he  told  me,  that  he 
was  at  New-Garden;  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  from  home,  and  came  back  alone; 
and  that  in  this  fblitary  journey,  this  exer- 
cife,  in  regard  to  the  education  of  .their  ne- 
groes, was,  from  time  to  time,  renewed  in 
his  mind.  A  friend  of  fome  note  in  Virgi-^ 
nia,  who  hath  flaves,  told  me,  that  he  being 
iar  from  home  on  a  lonefome  journey,  had 
many  ferious  thoughts  about  them  ;  and  that 
his  mind  was  fo  impreft  therewith,  that  he 
believed  that  he  faw  a  time  coming,  when 
Divine  Providence  would  alter  the  circum- 
ftance  of  thefe  people^  refpedling  their  con- 
dition as  flaves. 

From  hence  I  went  to  Newbegun-Creek, 
and  fat  a  confiderable  time  in  much  weak- 
nefs  ;  then  I  felt  truth  open  the  way  to  fpeak 
a  little  in  much  plainnefs  and  fimplici- 
ty,  till,  at  length,  through  the  increafe  of 
divine  love  amongft  us,  we  had  a  leafoning 
opportunity.  From  thence  to  the  head  of 
Little-River  on  a  firft-day,  where  was  a 
crouded  meeting ;  and,  I  believe,  was,  thro' 
divine  goodnefs,  made  profitable  to  fome. 
Thence  to  the  Old-Neck  ;  where  I  was  led 
into  a  careful  fearching  out  the  fecret  work- 
ings of  the  myftery  of  iniquity,  which,  un- 
der a  cover  of  religion,  exalts  itfelf  againft 
that  pure  fpirit,  which  leads  in  the  way  of 
meeknefs  and  felf-deniaL    From  thence  to 

Piney-=^ 


o^F    JOHN    WOOL  MAN,  7? 


Piney woods  :  this  was  the  laft  meeting  I  was 
at  in  Carohna,  and  was  large  ;  and  my  heart 
being  deeply  engaged,  I  was  drawn  forth  in- 
to a  fervent  laboiir  aniongft  them. 

When  I  was  at  Newbegun-Creek,  a  friend 
was  there  who  laboured  for  his  living,  hav- 
ing no  negroes,  and  had  been  a  minifter 
many  years :  he  came  to  me  the  next  day ; 
find  as  we  rode  together,  he  fignified  that  he 
wanted  to  talk  with  me  concerning  a  difiicul- 
ty  he  had  been  under,  and  related  it  near  as 
follows  :  to  wit.  That  as  monies  had  of  late 
years  been  raifed  by  a  tax  to  carry  on  the 
wars,  he  had  a  fcruple  in  his  mind  in  regard  „ 
to  paying  it,  and  chofe  rather  to  fiifFer  diftraint 
of  his  goods  than  pay  it ;  and  as  he  was  the  only 
perlbn  who  refufed  it  in  thofe  parts,  and  knew 
hot  that  any  one  elfe  was  in  the  like  circum- 
ftances,  and  fignified  that  it  had  been  a  heavy 
trial  to  him  ;  and  more  fo,  for  that  fome  of  his 
brethren  had  been  uneafy  with  his  condu6l  in 
that  cafe  :  and  added,  that  from  a  fympathy 
he  felt  with  me  yefterday  in  meeting,  he 
found  the  freedom  thus  to  open  the  matter,  in 
the  way  of  querying  concerning  friends  in  our 
parts  :  VN^hereupon  I  told  him  the  ftate  of 
friends  amongft  us,  as  well  as  I  was  able;  and 
alfo,  that  I  had,  for  fome  time,  been  under 
the  like  fcruple.  I  believed  him  to  be  one  who 
was  concerned  to  walk  uprightly  before  the 
Lord  ;  and  efteemed  it  my  duty  to  preferve 
this  note  concerning  him  Samuel  Newby. 

From  hence  I  went  back  into  Virginia,  and 
had  a  meeting  near  James  Covv^pland's  ;  it 

was 


76     The  LIFE  and  TRAV^ELS 

was  a  time  of  inward  fuffering ;  but,  thra 
the  goodnefs  of  the  Lord,  I  was  made  con-? 
tent :  then  to  another  meeting  ;  where,  thro' 
the  renewings  of  pure  love,  we  had  a  very 
comfortable  feafon. 

Travelling  up  and  down  of  late,  I  have 
had  renewed  evidences,  that  to  be  faithful  to 
the  Lord,  and  content  with  his  will  concern-^ 
ing  me,  is  a  mod  necefTary  and  ufeful  lefToii 
for  me  to  be  learning ;  looking  lefs  at  the  ef^^ 
fedls  of  my  labour,  than  at  the  pure  motion 
and  reality  of  the  concern,  as  it  arifes  from 
heavenly  love.  In  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  ever- 
lafting  ftrength ;  and  as  the  mind,  by  a  hum- 
ble refignation,  is  united  to  him  ,  and  we 
utter  words  from  an  inward  knowledge  that 
they  arife  from  the  heavenly  fpring,  though 
pur  way  may  be  difficult,  and  require  clofe 
attention  to  keep  in  it ;  and  though  the  man- 
ner in  which  we  may  be  led  may  tend  to  our 
own  abafement  j  yet,  if  we  continue  in  pa- 
tience and  meeknefs,  heavenly  peace  is  the  re- 
ward of  our  labours. 

From  thence  I  w^ent  to  Curies-meeting  j 
which,  though  fmall,  was  reviving  to  the 
honeft-hearted.  Thence  to  Black-Creek  and 
Caroline  meetings  ;  from  whence,  accompa- 
nied by  William  Standley  before-mentioned, 
we  rode  to  Goofe-Creek,  being  much  thro' 
the  woods,  and  about  one  hundred  miles.— 
We  lodged,  the  firft  night,  at  a  publick- 
lioufe  ;  the  fecond,  in  the  woods  ;  and  the 
next  day,  we  reached  a  friend's  houfe,  at 
Goofe-Cireek.    In  the  woods  we  lay  under 

fome 


fe'r    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  77 

fome  difadvantage,  having  no  fireworks  nor 
bells  for  our  horfes  ;  but  we  flopped  a  little 
before  night,  and  let  them  feed  on  the  wild 
grafs  which  was  plenty ;  in  the  mean  time 
cutting  with  our  knives  a  flore  againfl  night, 
and  then  tied  them ;  and  gathering  fbme  bufli- 
es  under  an  oak,  we  lay  down  ;  but  the  muf^ 
quetoes  being  plenty  and  the  ground  damp, 
I  flept  but  little  :  thus  lying  in  the  wilder- 
nefs,  and  looking  at  the  flars,  I  was  led  to 
contemplate  on  the  condition  of  our  firil 
parents,  when  they  were  fent  forth  from  the 
garden  ;  but  the  Alntiighty,  though  they  had 
been  difobedient,  continued  to  be  a  father  to 
them  ;  and  fhewed  them  what  tended  to  their 
felicity  as  intelligent  creatures,'  and  was  ac- 
ceptable to  him.  To  provide  things  relative 
to  our  outward  living,  in  the  way  of  true 
wifdom  is  good  ;  and  the  gift  of  improving 
in  things  ufeful,  is  a  good  gift,  and  comes 
from  the  father  of  lights.  Many  have  had 
this  gift ;  and,  from  age  to  age,  there  have 
been  improvements  of  this  kind  made  in  the 
world  :  but  fome  not  keeping  to  the  pure 
gift,  have,  in  the  creaturely  cunning  and  felf- 
exaltation,  fought  out  maiiy  inventions  ; 
which  inventions  of  men,  as  diflindl  from 
that  uprightnefs  in  which  man  was  created, 
as  the  firfl  motion  to  them  was  evil,  fb  the 
efFedls  have  been  and  are  evil.  That,  at  this 
day,  it  is  as  neceflary  for  us  conflantly  to 
attend  on  the  heavenly  gift,  to  be  qualified 
to  ufe  rightly  the  good  things  in  this  life 
amidft  great  improvements,  as  it  was  for  our 

firfl 


78     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


firft  parents,  when  they  were  without  any 
improvements,  without  any  friend  or  father 
but  God  only; 

I  was  at  a  meeting  at  Goofe-Creek;  and 
next  at  a  monthly-meeting  at  Fairfax ;  where, 
through  the  gracious  dealing  of  the  Almighty 
with  us^  his  power  prevailed  over  many 
hearts.  Thence  to  Manoquacy  and  Pipe- 
Creek,  in  Maryland  ;  at  both  which  places  I 
had  caufe  humbly  to  adore  Him,  who  fup- 
ported  me  through  many  exercifes,  and  by 
vv^hofe  help  I  was  enabled  to  reach  the  true 
witnefs  in  the  hearts  of  others:  there  wef^re 
fome  hopeful  young  people  in  thofe  parts. 
Thence  I  had  meetings  at  John  Event's  in 
Monalen,  and  at  Huntingdon  ;  and  I  was 
made  humbly  thankful  to  the  Lord,  who 
opened  my  heart  amongft  the  people  in  thefe 
new  fettlements,  fo  that  it  was  a  time  of  en- 
couragement to  the  honeft-minded. 

At  Monalen,  a  friend  gave  me  fome  ac- 
count of  a  religious  fociety,  among  the  Dutch^ 
called  mennonifts  ;  and,  amongft  other  things, 
related  a  paffage  in  fubftance  as  follows : — ^ 
One  of  the  mennonifts  having  acquaintance 
with  a  man  of  another  fociety  at  a  confider- 
able  diftance,  and  being  with  his  waggon  on 
bufinefs  near  the  houfe  of  his  faid  acquain- 
tance, and  night  coming  on,  he  had  thoughts 
of  putting  up  with  him  ;  but  palTmg  by  his 
fields,  and  obferving  the  diftreifed  appear- 
ance of-his  flaves,  he  kindled  a  fire  in  the 
woods  hard  by,  and  lay  there  that  night: 
his  faid  acquaintance  hearing  where  he  .lodg- 


CF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  79 


ed,  '".nd,  afterward  meeting  tlieme  nnonift^ 
told  him  of  it ;  adding,  he  fhould  have  been 
heartily  welcome  at  his  hoiife ;  and  from  their 
acquaintance  in  former  time,  wondered  at 
his  cdndn(S;  in  that  cafe :  the  meilnonifl  re^ 
plied,  ever  fince  I  lodged  by  thy  field,  I  have 
wanted  an  opportunity  to  fpeak  with  thee  : 
the  matter  was ;  I  intended  to  have  come  to 
thy  houfe  for  entertainment,  but  feeing  thy 
flaves  at  their  work,  and  obferving  the  man- 
ner of  their  drefs,  I  had  no  liking  to  come 
to  partake  with  thee :  then  admonilhed  him 
to  ufe  them  with  more  humanity ;  and  added^ 
as  I  lay  by  the  fire  that  nighty  I  thought 
that  as  I  was  a  man  of  fubftance,^thou  would 
have  received  me  freely;  but  if  Iliad  been 
as  poor  as  one  of  thy  flaves,  and  had  no 
power  to  help  myfelf,  I  fliould  have  received 
from  thy  hand  no  kinder  ufage  than  they. 

Hence  I  was  at  three  meetings  in  my  w^ay : 
and  fo  I  went  home,  under  a  humbling  fenle 
of  the  gracious  dealings  of  the  Lord  with 
me,  in  preferving  me  through  many  trials 
and  afflic5l;ons  in  my  journey.  I  was  out 
about  two  months,  and  travelled  about  ele- 
ven hundred  and  fifty  miles. 


CHAP. 


8o     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


CHAP.  V. 


[conftdi 


^deration  r  on  the  payment  of  a  lax^  laid  for 
carrying  on  the  ivar  againf  the' Indians — - 
Some  notes  07i  Thomas  a  Kempis  and  John 
Hufs' — 'Meetings  of  the  committee  of  the  year- 
ly-meeting at  Philadelphia — The  prefent  cir-- 
cumjlances  of  friends  inPennfyluania  andNeuu- 
Jerfey^  <very  different  from  thofe  of  our  pre- 
deceffors^ — The  draughting  of  the  militia  in 
Neiv-jerfey  to  fer^ve  in  the  army ;  ivith  fome 
ohfervalions  on  the  fate  of  the  members  of 
our  focietyi  at  that  time-^His  njft  to  friends 
in  Pennfylvania^  accompanied  by  Benja?nin 
Jones— Proceedings  at  the  monthly^  quarterly 
and  yearly  meetings^  in  Philadelphia^  refpe£i- 
ing  thofe  who  keep  faves. 

A FEW  years  paft,  money  being  made 
current  in  our  province  for  carrying  on 
wars,  and  to  be  called  in  again  by  taxes  laid 
on  the  inhabitants,  my  mind  v\ras  often  af- 
fedled  with  the  thoughts  of  paying  fuch 
taxes  ;  and  I  believe  it  right  for  me  to  pre- 
lerve  a  memorandum  concerning  it :  I  was 
told,  that  friends  in  England  frequently  paid 
taxes,  when  the  money  was  applied  to  fuch 
purpofes  :  I  had  converfation  with  feveral 
noted  friends  on  the  fubjecl,  who  all  favour- 
ed the  payment  of  fuch  taxes ;  fome  of  v/hom 
I  preferred  before  myfelf,  and  this  made  me 
eafier  for  a  time ;  yet  there  was  in  the  deeps 

of 


OP    JOHN   WOOL  MAR  8t 


of  my  mind,  a  fcriiple  wliich  I  never  could 
get  over  ;  and,  at  certain  times,  I  was  great- 
ly diftreiTed  on  that  account. 

I  all  along  believed  that  there  were  foine 
upright-hearted  men,  who  paid  luch  taxes  ; 
but  could  not  fee  th^at  their  example  was  a 
fufEcient  reafon  for  me  to  do  fo,  while  I  be- 
lieved that  the  fpirit  of  truth  required  of  me, 
as  an  individual,  to  fiifFer  patiently  the  diftiefs 
of  goods,  rather  than  pay  actively . 

I  have  been  informed  that  Thomas  a  Kem^ 
pis  lived  and  died  in  the  profefTion  of  the 
Roman  catholic  religion :  and  in  reading  his 
writings,  I  have  believed  him  to  be  a  man  of 
a  true  chriftian  fpirit ;  as  fully  fo,  as  many 
who  died  martyrs  becaufe  they  could  not  join 
with  fome  fuperftitions  in  that  church. 

All  true  chriftians  are  of  the  fame  fpirit, 
but  their  gifts  are  diverfe  ;  ^efus  Chrift  ap- 
pointing to  each  one  their  peculiar  office, 
agreeable  to  his  infinite  wdfiom. 

John  Hufs  contended  againfl  the  errors 
crept  into  the  church,  in  oppolition  to  the 
Council  of  Conftance  ;  wdiich  the  hiftorian 
feports  to  haveconfifledof  fome  thonfandper^ 
fons.  Hi?  modeftly  vindicated  the  caufe  which 
he  believed  was  right ;  and  though  his  lan- 
guage and  conduct  toward  his  judges  appear 
to  have  been  refped:ful,  yet  he  never  couid 
be  moved  from  the  principles  fettled  in  his 
mind.  To  ufe  his  own  words  :  This  I  moft 
humbly  require  and  defire  of  you  all,  even 
for  His  fake  who  is  the  God  of  us  all,  that 
I  be  not  compelled  to  the  thing  which  my 

Q  confcience 


82    The  LIFE  and  TRAVEL^ 

confcience  doth  repugn  or  ftrive  againfl/^ 
And  again,  in  his  anfwer  to  the  emperor  : 
I  refufe  nothing,  moft  noble  ernperor, 
whatfoever  the  council  fhall  decree  or  deter- 
mine upon  me,  only  this  one  thing  I  except, 
that  I  do  not  offend  God  and  my  confcience/* 
Fox's  AdHs  and  Monuments,  page  23;^.  At 
length,  rather  than  ad;  contrary  to  that  which 
he  believed  the  Lord  required  of  him,  he 
chofe  to  fuffer  death  by  fire*  Thomas  a 
Kempis,  without  difputing  againft  the  arti- 
cles then  generally  agreed  to,  appears  to  have 
laboured,  by  a  pious  example  as  well  as  by 
preaching  and  writing,  to  promote  virtue  and 
the  inward  fpiritual  religion  :  And  I  believe 
they  were  both  fincere-hearted  followers  of 
Chrift. 

True  charity  is  an  excellent  virtue:  and 
iincerely  to  labour  for  their  good,  whofe  be^ 
lief^  ill  all  points,  doth  not  agree  with  ours^ 
is  a  happy  ftate.  To  refufe  the  ai^live  pay-^ 
ment  of  a  tax  which  our  fociety  generally 
paid,  was  exceeding  difagreeable  ;  but  to  do 
a  thing  contrary  to  my  confcience,  appeared 
yet  more  dreadfuL  When  this  exercife  cam^ 
upon  me,  I  knew  of  none  under  the  like  dif- 
ficulty ;  and,  in  my  diftrefs,  I  befought  the 
Lord  to  enable  me  to  give  up  all,  that  fo  1 
might  follow  him  wherefoever  he  was  pleafed 
to  lead  me :  and  under  this  exercife,  I  went 
to  our  yearly-meeting  at  Philadelphia,  in  the 
year  1755  ;  at  which  a  committee  w^as  ap* 
pointed  of  fbme  from  each  quarter,  to  cor- 
tefpond  with  the  meeting  for  fuiferings  in 

London  j 


OF    JOHN   WO  OL  M  AN.  83 


London,  and  another  to  vifit  our  montliiy 
and  qviarterly-meetings ;  and  after  their  ap- 
pointment, before  the  laft  adjournment  of 
the  meeting,  it  was  agreed  in  the  meeting, 
that  thefe  two  committees  fliould  meet  to-* 
gether  in  friends  fchool-houfe  in  the  city, 
at  a  time  then  concluded  on,  to  confider 
feme  things  in  which  the  caufe  of  truth 
was  concerned  ;  and  thefe  committees  meet- 
ing together,  had  a  weighty  conference 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord;  at  which  time,  I 
perceived,  there  were  many  friends  imder  a 
fcruple  hke  that  before-mentioned  ^. 

As  fcruphng  to  pay  a  tax  on  account  of* 
the  appHcation,  hath  feldom  been  heard  of 
heretofore,  even  amongft  men  of  integrity^ 
who  have  fteadily  borne  their  teftimony 
againft  outward  wars  in  their  time  ;  I  may 
here  note  fome  things  which  have  occurred 
to  my  mind,  as  I  have  been  inwardly  exer- 
cifed  on  that  account :  from  the  fteady  oppo- 
fition  vv^hich  faithful  friends,  in  early  times, 
made  to  wrong  things  then  approved  of,  they 
were  hated  and  perfecuted  by  men  living  in 
the  fpirit  of  this  w^orld ;  and  fufFering  with 
firmnefs,  they  were  made  a  bleffmg  to  the 
church,  and  the  work  profpered.  It  equally 
concerns  men,  in  every  age,  to  take  heed  to 
their  own  Ipirit ;  and  in  comparing  their  fitu- 

G  2  ation 


*  Ghrlftlans  refufed  to  pay  taxes  to  fupport  heathen  tem- 
ples.   S^e  Pximicire  Chriftlanitj,  part  II L  page  327, 


84    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

ation  with  ours,  it  looks  to  me  there  was  lefl 
danger  of  their  being  infected  with  the  fpi- 
Ht  of  this  world,  in  paying  fuch  taxes,  than 
there  is  of  us  now:  they  had  little  or  no  fliare 
in  civil  government ;  and  many  of  them  de- 
clared, they  were,  through  the  power  of  God^ 
iepa rated  from  the  fpirit  in  which  wars  were; 
and  being  afflidled  by  the  rulers  on  account 
t)f  their  teilimony,  there  was  lefs  likelihood 
of  imiting  in  fpirit  v/ith  them  in  things  in- 
confiftent  with  the  purity  of  truth.  We, 
from  the  firft  fettlement  of  this  land,  have 
known  little  or  no  troubles  of  that  fort:  their 
profefTion,  for  a  time,  was  accounted  re- 
jproachful  ;  but,  at  length,  the  uprightnefs 
of  our  predeceffors  beixig  underftood  by  the 
tulers,  and  their  innocent  fufferings  moving 
them,  our  way  of  worfliip  was  tolerated ;  and 
tetany  of  our  members  in  thefe  colonies  became 
adlive  in  civil  government.  Being  thus  tried 
"with  favour  and  profperity,  this  world  hath 
appeared  inviting  ;  our  minds  have  been 
turned  to  the  improvement  of  our  country, 
to  merchandize  and  fciences,  amongfh  w^hich 
are  many  things  ufeful,  being  followed  in 
pure  wifdom ;  but  in  our  prefent  condition, 
that  a  carnal  mind  is  gaining  upon  us,  I  be- 
lieve will  not  be  denied.  Some  of  our  mem- 
bers, who  are  officers  in  civil  government, 
are,  in  one  cafe  or  other,  called  upon  in  their 
relpedlive  ftations  to  alfift  in  things  relative 
to  the  wars ;  fuch  being  in  doubt  whether  to 
adl,  or  crave  to  be  excufed  from  their  office, 
feeing  their  brethren  united  in  the  payment 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAR  85 


of  a  tax  to  carry  on  the  fald  wars,  might 
think  their  cafe  not  much  different,  and  fo 
quench  the  tender  movings  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit in  their  minds ;  and  thus,  by  fmall  degrees, 
there  might  be  an  approach  toward  that  of 
fighting,  till  w^e  came  fo  near  it,  as  that  the 
diifindlion  would  be  little  eife,  but  the  name 
of  a  peaceable  people. 

It  recjuires  great  felf-denial  and  refigna- 
tion  of  ourfelves  to  God,  to  attain  that  ftate 
wherein  we  can  freely  ceafe  from  fighting 
vvhen  wrongfully  invaded  ;  if,  by  our  fight-* 
ing,  there  v/ere  a  probability  of  overcoming 
the  invaders:  v/hoever  rightly  attains  to  it, 
does,  in  fome  degree,  feel  that  fpirit  in  which 
our  Redeemer  gave  his  life  for  us  ;  and,  thro' 
divine  goodnefs,  many  of  our  predeceffors, 
and  many  nov^  living,  have  learned  this  bleffed 
leffon ;  but  many  others,  having  their  religion 
chiefly  by  education,  and  not  being  enough 
acquainted  with  that  crofs  which  crucifies  to 
the  world,  do  manifeft  a  temper  diftinguifh- 
able  from  that  of  an  entire  trufl  in  God.  lu 
calmly  confidering  thefe  things,  it  hath  not 
appeared  flrange  to  me,  that  an  exercife  hath 
now  fallen  upon  fome,  which,  as  to  the  out- 
ward means  of  it,  is  different  from  what  was 
known  to  many  of  thofe  who  went  before  us. 

Some  time  after  the  yearly-meeting,  a  day 
being  appointed^  and  letters  wxote  to  diftant 
members,  the  faid  committees  met  at  Phi^ar 
delphia  ;  and,  ^by  adjoiirnmeijts,  .coi^ti^pL^p^^ 
ieveral  days.  The  calamitie^x^^^^^f^'^^^^' 
liQw  increafing  ;  the  fronti^Qr  -rij^ji^bitarits  of 

Pena- 


86    The  LIFE   and  TRAVELS 


Pennfylvania  were  frequently  furprized,  fome 
flain,  and  many  taken  captive  by  the  Indians ; 
and  while  thefe  committees  lat,  the  corps  of 
one  fo  (lain  was  brought  in  a  waggon,  and 
taken  through  the  ftreets  of  the  city,  in  his 
bloody  garments,  to  alarm  the  people,  and 
roufe  them  up  to  war. 

Friends  thus  met  were  not  all  of  one  rnind 
in  relation  to  the  tax ;  which  to  fuch  who 
fcrupled  it  made  the  way  more  difficult.  To 
refufe  an  a6t:ive  payment  at  fuch  a  time, 
might  be  conftriied  an  adl  of  difloyalty,  and 
appeared  likely  to  difpleafe  the  rulers,  not 
only  here  but  in  England  j  ftill  there  was  a 
fcruple  fo  faflened  upon  the  minds  of  many 
friends,  that  nothing  moved  it :  it  was  a 
conference  the  moft  weighty  that  ever  I  was 
at ;  and  the  hearts  of  many  were  bowed  in 
reverence  before  the  Moft  High.  Some  friends 
of  the  faid  committees  who  appeared  eafy  to 
pay  the  tax,  after  feveral  adjournments,  with- 
drew ;  others  of  them  continued  till  the  laft  : 
at  length,  an  epiftle  of  tender  love  and  cau- 
tion, to  friends  in  Pennfylvania,  was  drawn 
by  fome  friends  coiicerned,  on  that  fubje6l ; 
and  bein^  read  feveral  times  and  corre6led, 
was  then  ngned  by  fuch  of  them  as  were  free 
to  fign  it,  and  afterward  fent  to  the  monthly 
and  qiiarterly--itieetings/  y 

On  the  ninth  day  of  the  eighth  month,  in 
the  year  1757, '  at  night,  orders  came  to  the 
irdlitary  officers  in  our  county,  (Burlington) 
dire'dlliig  th^m  to  draft  the  militia,  and  pre- 
pare a  nundbdr  of  men  to  go  off  as  foldiers^ 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  87 


to  the  relief  of  the  Englifh  at  fort  WiUiam- 
Henry,  in  New- York  government  :  a  few 
days  after  which,  there  was  a  general  review 
of  the  militia  at  Mount-Holly,  and  a  mmi- 
ber  of  men  chofen  and  fent  off  under  fome 
officers.    Shortly  after,  there  came  orders  to 
draught  three  times  as  many,  to  hold  them- 
felves  m  readinefs  to  march  when  frefh  or- 
ders came  :  and  on  the  feventeenth  day  of 
the  eighth  month,  there  was  a  meeting  of 
the  military  officers  at  Mount-Holly,  who 
agreed  on  a  draught ;  and  orders  were  fent 
to  the  men  fo  chofen,  to  meet  their  refpe6live 
captains  at  fet  times  and  places  ;  thofe  in  our 
townlhip  to  meet  at  Mount-Holly  ;  amongft 
whom  were  a  conliderable  number  of  our 
fociety.    My  mind  being  affected  herewith, 
I  had  frefh  opportunity  to  fee  and  confider 
the  advantage  of  living  in  the  real  fubftance 
of  religion,  where  pradlice  doth  harmonize 
with  principle.  Amongft  the  officers  are  men 
of  underftanding,  who  have  fome  regard  to 
fincerity  where  they  fee  it ;  and  in  the  exe- 
cution of  their  office,  when  they  have  men 
to  deal  with  whom  they  believe  to  be  up- 
right-hearted, to  put  them  to  trouble  on  ac- 
count of  fcruples  of  confcience,  is  a  painful 
talk,  and  likely  to  be  avoided  as  much  as 
eafily  as  may  be :  but  where  men  profefs  to 
be  fo  meek  and  heavenly-minded,  and  to 
have  their  truft  fo  firmly  fettled  in  God,  that 
they  cannot  join  in  wars  ;  and  yet,  by  their 
f^)irit  and  conduct  in  common  life,  manifeft 

a  con^ 


88    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

a  contrary  dlfpolition,  their  difficulties  are 
great  at  lucli  a  time. 

Officers  in  great  anxiety  endeavouring  to 
get  troops  to  anfwer  the  demands  of  their  fu- 
periors,~  feeing  men,  who  ai-e  infmcere,  pre- 
tend Icruple  of  confcience,  in  hopes  of  be- 
ing excvifed  from  a  dangerous  employment^ 
they  are  likely  to  be  roughly  handled.  In 
this  time  of  commotion  fome  of  our  young 
men  left  the  parts,  and  tarried  abroad  till  it 
was  over  ;  fome  cam-c,  and  propofed  to  go 
as  foldiers ;  others  appeared  to  have  a  real 
tender  fcruple  in  their  minds  againft  joining 
in  wars,  and  were  much  humbled  under  the 
appreiienlion  of  a  trial  fo  near  :  I  had  con- 
verfation  with  fever^l  of  them  to  my  fatisfac- 
tipn.  At  the  fet  time  when  the  captain  came 
to  town,  fome  of  thofe  laft-mentioned  w^ent 
and  told  him  in  fubftance  as  follows  i-^That 
they  could  not  bear  arms  for  confcience- 
iake ;  nor  could  they  hire  any  to  go  in,  their 
places,  being  refigned  as  to  the  event  of  it : 
at  length  the  captain  acquainted  them  all^ 
that  they  might  return  hoine  for  the  prefent, 
and  required  them  to  provide  themfelves  as 
foldiers,  and  to  be  in  readinefs  to  raarch  when 
called  upon.  This  was  fuch  a  time  as  I  had 
not  feen  before  j  and  yet  I  may  fay,  with 
thankfiilnefs  to  the  Lord,  that  I  believed  this 
trial  was  intended  for  our  good ;  and  I  w^as 
favoured  with  refignation  to  him.  The  French 
army  taking  the  fort  they  were  befieging,  de- 
llroyed  it  and  went  away :  the  company  of 

nien 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  89 


men  firfl  draughted,  after  fome  days  march, 
had  orders  to  return  home  ;  and  thofe  on  the 
fecond  draught,  were  no  more  called  upon 
on  that  occafion. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  the  fourth  month,  in 
the  year  1758,  orders  came  to  fome  officers, 

•  iDf  Mount-Holly,  to  prepare  quarters,  a  iliort 
time,  for  about  one  hundred  foldiers  :  and 
an  officer  and  two  other  men,  all  inhabitants 
of  our  town,  came  to  my  houfe  ;  and  the  of- 
ficer told  me,  that  he  came  to  fpeak  with  me, 
to  provide  lodging  and  entertainment  for  two 
foldiers,  there  being  fix  iliillings  a  week  per 
man  allowed  as  pay  for  it.  The  caie  being 
new  and  vmexpeclJted,  I  made  no  anfwer  fud- 
denly  ;  but  fat  a  time  filent,  my#nind  being- 
inward  :  I  was  fully  convinced,  that  the  pro- 
ceedings in  wars  are  inconiiitent  with  the 
purity  of  the  chriftian  religion ;  and  to  be 
hired  to  entertain  men,  wIiq  were  then  under 

.  pay  as  foldiers,  was  a  difficulty  with  me.  I 
expedted  they  had  legal  authority  for  what 
they  did  ;  and,  after  a  fhort  time,  I  faid  to 
the  officer,  if  the  men  are  lent  here  for  en^- 
tertainment,  I  believe  I  fiiall  not  refufe  to  ad- 
mit them  into  my  houfe  ;  but  the  nature  of 
the  cafe  is  fuch,  that  I  expect  I  cannot  keep 
them  on  hire  :  one  of  the  men  intimated, 
that  he  thought  I  might  do  it  confident  with 
my  religious  principles  :  to  which  I  made  no 
reply ;  as  believing  filence,  at  that  time,  befh 
for  me.  Though  they  fpake  of  two,  there 
came  only  one,  who  tarried  at  my  houfe  about; 
two  weeks,  and  behc^ved  himfelf  civilly  ;  and 

when 


90     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


when  the  officer  came  to  pay  me,  I  told  hiii^ 
I  could  not  take  pay  for  it,  having  admitted 
him  into  my  houfe  in  a  paffive  obedience  to 
authority.  I  was  on  horfeback  when  he 
fpake  to  me :  and  as  I  turned  from  him,  he 
faid,  he  was  obliged  to  me  :  to  which  I  faid 
nothing ;  but  thinking  pn  the  expreffion,  I 
grew  uneafy  ;  and  afterwards,  being  near 
where  he  lived,  I  went  and  told  him  on  what 
grounds  I  rcfufed  taking  pay  for  keeping  the 
loldier. 

Near  the  beginning  of  the  year  1758,  I 
went  one  evening,  in  company  v^^ith  a  friend, 
to  vifit  a  fick  perfon  ;  and  before  our  re- 
turn, we  were  told  of  a  woman  living  near, 
v/ho,  of  la^,  had  feveral  days  been  difcon- 
folate,  occafioned  by  a  dream  ;  wherein  death, 
and  the  judgments  of  the  Almighty  after 
death,  were  reprefented  to  her  mind  in  a 
moving  manner:  her  iadnefs,  on  that  ac- 
count, being  worn  off;  the  friend,  with 
whom  I  was  in  company,  went  to  fee  her, 
and  had  lome  religious  converfation  with  her 
and  her  hufband :  with  this  viiit  they  were 
fomewhat  affeded ;  and  the  man,  \vith  many 
tears,  expreffed  his  fatisfaclion  :  and,  in  a 
fliort  time  after,  the  poor  man  being  on  the 
river  in  a  ftorm  of  wind,  he^  with  one.  rnoi^e, 
was  drowned. 

In  the  eighth  month  of  the  year  1758, 
having  had  drawings  in  my  mind  to  be  at 
the  quarterly-meeting  in  Chefter  county,  and 
at  fome  meetings  in  the  county  of  Philadel- 
phia, I  v^eilt  firil  to  faid  quarterly-meeting, 

which 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  gx 


which  was  large  ;  and  feveral  weighty  mat- 
ters came  imder  confideration  and  debate  ; 
and  the  Lord  was  pleafed  to  qualify  fome  of 
his  fervants  with  ftrength  and  firmnefs,  to 
bear  the  burthen  of  the  day  :  though  I  faid 
but  httle,  my  mind  was  deeply  exercifed  ; 
and,  under  a  fenfe  of  God's  love,  in  the  an- 
ointing and  fitting  fome  young  men  for  his 
work,  I  was  comforted,  and  my  heart  was 
tendered  before  him.  From  hence  I  went  to 
the  youths  meeting  ar  Darby,  where  my  be- 
loved friend  and  brother  Benjamin  Jones  met 
me,  by  an  appointment  before  I  left  home, 
to  join  in  the  vifit :  and  we  were  at  Ptadnor, 
Merion,  Richland,  North-Wales,  Plymouth, 
and  Abington^  meetings  ;  and  had  caufe  to 
bow  in  reverence  before  the  Lord  our  j:rraci- 
ous  God,  by  v/hofe  help  way  was  opened 
for  us  from  day  to  day.  1  was  out  about 
two  weeks,  and  rode  about  two  hundred 
miles. 

The  monthly-meeting  of  Philadelphia  hav-^ 
ing  been  under  a  concern,  on  account  of  ibme 
friends,  who  this  fummer  (1758)  had  bought 
negro  flaves  :  the  faid  meeting  moved  it  totlicir 
qvlarterly-meeting,  to  have  the  minute  recon- 
lidered  in  the  yearly-meeting,  which  was 
made  lad  on  that  fubje(fl :  and  the  faid  quar- 
terly-meeting appointed  a  committee  to  con- 
fider  it,  and  report  to  tlicir  next ;  which 
committee  having  rnet  once  and  adjourned, 
and  I  going  to  Philadelphia  to  meet  a  coiii- 
mittee  of  the  yearly-meeting,  was  in  town 
the  evening  on  v/hich  the  quarterly-meeting'^ 


92     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

committee  met  the  fecond  time  ;  and  finding 
an  inclination  to  fit  with  them^  was,  with 
fbme  others,  admitted ;  and  friends  had  a 
weighty  conference  on  the  fubjecl :  and  foon 
after  their  next  quarterly-meeting,  1  heard 
that  the  cafe  was  coming  to  our  yearly-meet-f 
ing  ;  which  brought  a  weighty  exercife  upon 
me,  and  under  a  fenfe  of  my  own  infirini-- 
ties,  and  the  great  danger  I  felt  of  turning 
afide  from  perfexft  purity,  ^my  mind  was  of- 
ten drawn  to  retire  alone,  and  put  up  my 
prayers  to  the  Lord,  that  he  would  be  gra- 
cioufly  pleafed  to  flrengthen  me ;  that  fetting 
afide  all  views  of  felf-interefl:  and  the  friend- 
fhip  of  this  world,  I  might  ftand  fully  re- 
figned  to  his  holy  will. 

In  this  yearly-meeting,  feveral  v/eighty 
matters  were  confixlered  ;  and  toward  the  laft, 
that  in  relation  to  dealing  with  perfons  who 
purchafe  flaves.  During  the  feveral  fittings 
of  the  faid  meeting,  my  mind  w^as  frequent- 
ly covered  with  inward  prayer  ;  and  I  could 
fay  with  David,      that  tears  were  my  meat 

day  and  night."  The  cafe  of  flave-keeping 
lay  heavy  upon  me  ;  nor  did  I  find  any  en- 
gagement to  fpeak  directly  to  any  other  matr 
ter  before  the  meeting.  Now  when  this  cafe 
was  opened,  feveral  faithful  friends  fpake 
weightily  thereto,  with  which  I  was  com- 
forted ;  and  feeling  a  concern  to  cafl  in  my 
mite,  I  faid,  in  fubftance,  as  follows  : 

In  the  difficulties  attending  us  in  this 
life,  nothing  is  more  precious  than  the  mind 
of  truths  inwardly  naanifefted  ;  and  it  is  my 

earnqfl 


bP    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  93 

c^rneft  deiire,  that  in  this  weighty  matter^ 
we  may  be  fo  truly  humbled  as  to  be  favour- 
ed with  a  clear  underfcanding  of  the  mind 
of  truth,  and  follow  it  ;  this  would  be  of 
more  advantage  to  the  fociety,  than  any  me-- 
dium  not  in  the  clearnefs  of  divine  wifdom. 
The  cafe  is  diiiicult  to  fbme  who  have  them; 
but  if  fuch  fet  afide  all  felt-intereft,  and  come 
to  be  weaned  from  the  deiire  of  getting  el« 
tateSj  of  even  from  holding  them  together, 
when  truth  requires  the  contrary,  L  believe 
way  wall  open  that  they  will  knovv^  how  to 
fteer  through  thofe  difEculties." 

Many  friends  appeared  to  be  deeply  bow- 
ed under  the  weight  of  the  work  ;  and  mani- 
fefted  much  firmnefs  in  their  love  to  the  caufe 
of  truth,  and  univerfal  righteoufnefs  on  the 
earth  :  and  though  none  did  openly  juflify 
the  pradlice  of  ilave-keeping  in  general,  yet 
fome  appeared  concerned,  left  the  meeting 
fhould  go  into  fuch  meafures,  as  might  give 
tineafinefs  to  many  brethren  ;  alledging,  that 
if  friends  patiently  continued  under  the  ex- 
ercife,  the  Lord,  in  time  to  come,  might  \ 
open  a  vv  ay  for  the  deliverance  of  thefe  peo- 
ple :  and  I  finding  an  engagement  to  fpeak^ 
laid,  ^'  My  mind  is  often  led  to  confider  the 
purity  of  the  Divine  Being,  and  the  juftice 
of  his  judgments  ;  and  herein  my  foul  is  co- 
vered with  awfulnefs  :  I  cannot  omit  to  hint 
of  fome  cafes,  where  people  have  not  been 
treated  with  the  purity  of  juftice,  and  the 
event  hath  been  lamentable  :  Many  flaves  on 
this  continent  are  opprefTed,  and  their  cries 

have 


94     The  LIFE  and  TRxWELS 

have  reached  the  ears  of  the  Moft  High. 
Such  are  the  purity  and  certainty  of  his 
judgments^  that  he  cannot  be  partial  in  our 
favou.r^  In  infinite  love  and  goodnefs,  he 
hath  opened  our  underftandings  from  one  time 
to  another,  concerning  our  duty  toward  this 
people ;  and  it  is  not  a  time  for  delay.  Should 
v^e  now  be  fenfible  of  what  he  requires  of 
us,  and  through  a  relped:  to  the  private  in- 
terefl  of  fome  perfons,  or  through  a  regard 
to  fome  friendfliips  which  do  not  Hand  on  an 
immutable  foundation,  negled:  to  do  our  du- 
ty in  firmnefs  and  conftancy,  ftill  waiting 
for  fovne  extraordinary  means  to  bring  about 
their  deliverance ;  it  may  be  by  terrible  things 
in  righteoufnefs,  God  may  anfwer  us  in  this 
matter.'' 

Many  faithful  bfethren  laboured  with  great 
firmnefs  ;  and  the  love  of  truth,  in  a  good 
degree,  prevailed.  Several  friends,  who  had 
iiegroes,  expreffed  their  deiire  that  A  rule 
might  be  made,  to  deal  with  fuch  friends  as 
offenders  w^ho  bought  flaves  in  future  :  to 
this  it  was  anfwered,  that  the  root  of  this 
evil  would  never  be  effetlually  flruck  at,  un- 
til a  thorough  fearch  v/as  made  into  the  cir- 
cumftances  of  fuch  friends  who  kept  negroes, 
with  refpecl  to  the  righteoufnefs  of  their 
motives  in  keeping  them,  that  impartial  juf- 
tice  might  be  adminiftered  throughout.  Seve- 
ral friends  expreffed  their  defire,  that  a  vifit 
might  be  made  to  fuch  friends  who  kept 
flaves  :  and  many  friends  faid,  that  they  be- 
lieved 


OF    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  9^ 

iieved  liberty  was  the  negroes  right  ;  to  which, 
iat  length,  no  oppolition  was  made  publicly  : 
a  minute  was  made  more  full  on  that  fub- 
jecl,  than  any  heretofore;  and  the  names  of 
feveral  friends  entered,  who  were  free  to  joiii 
in  a  viiit  to  fuch  who  kept  flaves. 


CHAP.  VI* 

Mis  'vifiting  the  qiiarterty-meethigs  in  CheJIer 
county;  and  afterujards  joining  'unth  Daniel 
Stanton  a?id  John  Scarborough^  in  a  "vifit  to 
Juch  as  kept  Jla'ves  there — Soiue  obfervations 
en  the  conduct  fuch  Jhoidd  maintain  ivho  are 
'Concerned  to  /peak  in  meetings  for  difcipline — 
Several  more  viftts  to  fuch  %vho  hpt  jlaves  : 
and  to  friends  near  Salem — So7iie  account  of 
the  yearly-meeting  in  the  year  1759;  a7id  of 
the  increaftng  concern  in  divers  proi.nnces^  to 
labour  againji  buying  and  keeping  flaves — ' 
The  yearly-meeting  epifle—^His  thoughts  on 
the  fmall-pox  fpreading^and  on  inoculation.  }  1 

ON  the  eleventh  day  of  the  eleventh  month, 
in  the  year  1758,  I  fet  out  for  Concord; 
the  quarterly-meeting,  heretofore  held  there, 
was  now,  by  realon  of  a  great  increafe  of 
members,  divided  into  two  by  the  agreement 
of  friends,  at  our  lafl  yearlv  meednp.  Here 

I  met 


96     The  LIFE  a^d  TRAVELS 

I  tnct  with  our  beloved  friends  Samuel  Spa- 
void  and  *  Mary  Kirby  from  England,  and 
with  Jofeph  White  from  Bucks  county,  whc^ 
had  taken  leave  of  his  family  in  order  to  go 
on  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  England; 
and,  through  divine  goodnefs,  we  were  fa- 
voured with  a  ftrengthening  opportunity  to- 
gether. 

After  this  meeting  I  joined  with  niy  friends 
Daniel  Stanton  and  John  Scarborough,  iii 
vifiting  friends  who  had  flaves  ;  and  at  night 
we  had  a  family  meeting  at  William  Trim- 
ble's, many  young  people  being  there ;  and 
it  was  a  precious  reviving  opportunity.  Next 
morning  we  had  a  comfortable  fiftirig  with 
a  lick  neighbour  ;  and  thence  to  the  burial  of 
the  corpfe  of  a  friend  at  Uwchland  meeting, 
at  which  were  many  people,  and  it  was  a 
time  of  divine  favour ;  after  which,  we  vi- 
iited  fome  who  had  flaves  ;  and,  at  night, 
had  a  family  meeting  at  a  friend's  houfe^ 
where  the  channel  of  gofpel  love  was  opened, 
and  my  mind  was  comforted  after  a  hard 
day's  labour*  The  next  day  we  were  at  Go- 
Ihen  monthly-meeting:  and  thence,  on  the 
eighteenth  day  of  the  eleventh  month,  in 
the  year  175B,  attended  the  quarterly-meet- 
ing at  London-Grove,  it  being  the  firft  held 
at  that  place.  Here  we  met  again  with  all  the 
tefore-mentioned  friends,  and  had  fome  edi- 
fying meetings  :  and  near  the  conclufion  of 
the  meeting  for  bufinefs,  friends  were  incited 
to  conftancy  in  fupporting  the  teftimony  of 
truth,  and  reminded  of  the  neceflity  which 

the 


o  F    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  97 


the  difciples  of  Chrift  are  under  to  attend 
principally  to  his  bufinefs,  as  he  is  pleafed 
to  open  it  to  us  :  and  to  be  particularly  care- 
ful to  have  our  minds  redeemed  from  the  love 
of  wealth ;  to  have  our  outward  affairs  in  as 
little  room  as  may  be;  that  no  temporal  con^ 
cerns  may  entangle  our  affe(5lions,  or  hinder 
us  from  from  diligently  following  the  dictates 
of  truth,  in  labouring  to  promote  the  pure 
fpirit  of  meeknefs  and  Iieavenly-mindednefs 
amongft  the  children  of  men,  in  thefe  days 
of  calamity  and  diftrefs ;  wherein  God  is  vi-* 
fiting  our  land  with  his  juft  judgments,      .  : 

Each  of  thefe  quarterly-meetings  werd 
large,  and  fat  near  eight  hours.  Here  I  had 
occafion  to  confider,  that  it  is  a  weighty  thing 
to  fpeak  much  in  large  meetings  for  bufinefs  : 
firft,  except  our  minds  are  rightly  prepared, 
and  we  clearly  underftand  the  cafe  we  fpeak 
to,  inftead  of  forwarding,  we  hinder  bufi- 
nefs, and  make  more  labour  for  thofe  on 
whom  the  burthen  of  the  work  is  laid. 

If  felfifli  views,  or  a  partial  fpirit,  have 
any  room  in  our  minds,  we  are  unfit  for 
the  Lord's  work  ;  if  we  have  a  clear  profpedl 
of  the  bufinefs,  and  proper  weight  on  our 
minds  to  fpeak,  it  behoves  us  to  avoid  ufelefs 
apologies  and  repetitions :  where  people  are 
gathered  from  far,  and  adjourning  a  meqt-- 
ing  of  bufinefs  is  attended  with  great  diffi- 
culty, it  behoves  all  to  be  cautious  how  they 
detain  a  meeting  ;  efpecially  when  they  have 
fat  fix  or  feven  hours,  and  have  a  great  dif- 

H  tance 


9&    The  LIFE  akd  TRAVELS 

tance  to  ride  hx)me*    After  this  meeting  l 
rode  home* 

In  the  beginning  of  the  twelfth  month  of 
the  year  1758,  I  joined  in  company  with  my 
friends  John  Sykes  and  Daniel  Stanton,  in  , 
vifitmg  fiieh  who  had  Haves  :  fome,  whofe 
hearts  were,  rightly  exercifed  about  them^  ap- 
peared to  be  glad  of  our  vifit ;  but  in  fome 
plaees  our  way  was  more  difficult ;  and  I  of- 
ten faw  the  neceffi ty  of  keeping  down  to  that 
root  from  whence  our  concern  proceeded  ; 
and  have  caufe^  in  reverent  thankfulnefs^ 
humbly  to  bow  down  before  the  Lord^  who> 
was  near  to  me,  and  preferved  my  mind  in 
calmnefs  under  fomc  fliarp  confiidls,  and  be-- 
gat  a  fpirit  of  fympathy  and  tendernefs  in 
me,  toward  fome  who  were  grievoully  en^ 
tangled  by  the  fpirit  of  this  world. 

In  the  firft  month  of  the  year  1759,  hav- 
ing found  my  mind  drawn  to  vifit  Ibme  of 
the  more  adlive  members,  in  our  fociety  at 
Philadelphia,  who  had  flaves,  I  met  my  friend 
John  Ghttf  chman  there  by  an  agreement ; 
and  we  continued  about  a  w^eek  in  the  city  : 
we  vifited  fome  that  were  lickj  and  fome  wi- 
dows and  their  families ;  and  the  other  part 
of  our  time  was  moftly  employed  in  vihting 
fuch  who  had  flaves«*»It  was  a  time  of  deep 
cxercife,  looking  often  to  the  Lord  for  his  af- 
fiftance  ;  who,  in  unfpeakable  kindnels,  fa- 
voured us  with  the  influence  of  that  fpirit, 
which  crucifies  to  the  greamefs  and  fplendor 
of  this^  world,  and  enabled  xis  to  go  through 

fome 


CP    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  99 

ibme  heavy  labdurs,  in  which  we  found 
peace. 

On  the  twenty-fonrth  day  of  the  third 
month,  of  this  year,  I  waS  at  our  Gene- 
ral fpying  meeting  at  Philadelphia  :  after 
which,  I  again  joined  with  John  Churchman 
on  a  vifit  to  fome  more,  who  had  flaves  in 
Philadelphia ;  and,  with  thinkfulnefs  to  our 
heavenly  Father,  I  liiay  fay,  that  divine  love 
and  a  true  fynlpathizing  tendernefs  of  heart, 
prevailed  at  times  in  this  fervice. 

Having,  at  times,  perceived  a  fhyiiefs  in 
fome  friends,,  of  confiderable  note,  towards 
me,  I  found  an  engagement  in  gofpel  Idve  to 
pay  a  vifit  to  one  of  them ;  and  as  I  dwelt  un- 
der the  exercife,  I  felt  a  refignednefs  in  my 
mind  to  go  :  fb  I  went,  and  told  him  in  pri- 
vate, I  had  a  defire  to  have  an  opportunity 
with  him  alone ;  to  which  he  readily  agreed : 
and  thien,  in  the  fear  df  the  Lord,  things 
relatuig  td  that  fhynefs  were  fearched  to  the , 
bottom  ;  and  we  had  a  large  conference, 
which,  I  believe,  was  of  ufe  to  both  of  us  ; 
and  am  thankful  that  way  was  opened  for 
it. 

On  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  fixth  month 5, 
in  the  fame  year^  having  felt  drawings  in 
my  mind  to  vifit  friends  about  Salem,  and 
having  the  approbation  of  our  monthly- 
meeting  therein,  I  attended  their  quarterly- 
meeting,  and  was  out  feven  days,  and  at 
feven  meetings  ;  in  fome  of  Vv^hich  I  was 
chiefly  filent,  and  in  others,  thro'  the  bap-^ 
tizing  power  of  truth,  my  heart  was  en- 
'  H  %  larged 


100  The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


larged  in  heavenly  love,  and  found  a  near 
feilowflilp  with  the  brethren  and  fifters,  in 
the  manifold  trials  attending  their  chriftiaii 
progrefs  through  this  world. 

In  the  feventh  month,  I  found  an  in- 
creafing  concern  on  my  mind  to  vilit  fome 
adlive  members .  in  our  fociety  who  had 
flaves  ;  and  having  no  opportunity  of  the 
company  of  fuch  who  were  named  on  the 
minutes  of  the  yearly-meeting,  I  went  alone 
to  their  houfes,  and,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
acquainted  them  with  the  exercife  I  was  un- 
der :  aijd  thus,  fometimes,  by  a  few  words, 
I  found  myfelf  difcharged  from  a  heavy  bur- 
then* 

After  this,  our  friend  John  Churchman 
coming  into  our  province  with  a  view  to  be 
at  fome  meetings,  and  to  join  again  in  the 
vilit  to  thofe  who  had  flaves,  I  bore  him 
company  in  the  faid  vilit  to  fome  ail^live  mem- 
bers, and  found  inward  fatisfadlion. 

At  our  yearly-meeting  in  the  year  1759^ 
we  had  fome  weighty  feafons  ;  where  the 
power  of  truth  was  largely  extended,  to  the 
ftrengthening  of  the  honeft-minded.  As 
friends  read  over  the  epiftles,  to  be  fent  to 
the  yearly-meetings  along  this  continent,  I 
obferved  in  mofl  of  them,  both  this  year  and 
laft,  it  was  recommended  to  friends  to  la- 
bour againfl  buying  and  keeping  flaves  ;  and 
in  fome  of  them  clofely  treated  upon.  As 
this  practice  hath  long  been  a  heavy  exercife 
to  me,  and  I  have  often  waded  throtigh  mor- 
tifying labours  on  that  account  ;  and,  at 

times, 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  loi 


times,  in  fome  meetings  been  almoft  alone 
therein.  Now  obferving  the  increafing  con- 
cern in  onr  religious  fociety,  and  feeing  how*' 
the  Lord  was  railing  up  and  qualifying  fer- 
vants  for  his  work,  not  only  in  this  reipedt, 
but  for  promoting  the  caufe  of  truth  in  ge- 
neral, I  was  humbly  bowed  in  thankfulnefs 
before  him.  This  meeting  continued  near  a 
week:  and,  for  fever al  days,  in  the  forepart 
of  it,  my  mind  was  drawn  into  a  deep  in- 
ward flillnefs  ;  and  being,  at  times,  covered 
with  the  fpirit  of  fupplication,  my  heart  was 
fecretly  poured  out  before  the  Lord  :  and 
near  the  conclufion  of  the  meeting  for  bufi- 
nefs  way  opened,  that,  in  the  pure  flovvdngs 
of  divine  love,  I  exprelTed  what  lay  upon 
me;  which,  as  it  then  arofe  in  my  mind,  was 
fir  ft  to  fhew  how  deep  anfwers  to  deep  in  the 
hearts  of  the  fincere  and  upright;  though,  in 
their  different  growths  they  may  not  all  have 
attained  to  the  fame  clearnefs  in  fome  points 
relating  to  our  teftimony  :  and  I  was  led  to 
mention  the  integrity  and  conftancy  of  many 
martyrs,  who  gave  their  lives  for  the  tefti- 
mony of  Jefus  ;  and  yet,  in  fome  points, 
held  dodlrines  diftinguiftiable  from  fome 
v/hich  we  hold :  and  that,  in  all  ages  where 
people  were  faithful  to  the  light  and  u^nder- 
ftanding  which  the  Moft  High  afforded 
them,  they  found  acceptance  with  him ;  and 
that  now,  though  there  are  different  ways  of 
thinking  amongft  us  in  fome  particulaxs,  yet,, 
if  we  mutually  kept  to  that  fpirit  and  power 
which  crucifies  to  the  world   which  teaches 

us. 


102   The  life  and  TRAVELS 

us  to  be  content  lyith  things  really  needful^ 
^nd  to  avoid  all  fuperfluities,  giving  up  our 
hearts  to  fear  ^nd  ferve  the  Lord^  true  unity 
may  ftill  be  preferyed  amongft  us  :  and  that 
if  fuch,  who  v^rere,  at  times,  under  fufferings 
on  account  of  fpme  fcruples  pf  conference, 
kept  low  and  humble,  and  in  their  conduci 
in  life  manifefted  a  fpi.rit  pf  true  charity ; 
it  would  be  more  likely  to  reach  the  witnef^ 
in  others,  and  be  of  more  fervice  in  the 
churchj  than  if  their  fuflferings  were  attend-^ 
ed  with  a  contr^iry  ij^iyit  and  condudl/'  In 
which  exercife  I  was  drawn  into  a  fympa^ 
thizing  tendernefs  with  the  fheep  of  Chrift, 
however  diftiiiguilhed  one  from  axiother  in 
this  world ;  and  the  like  difpofition  appeared 
to  fpread  over  others  in  the  meeting.  Great 
is  the  gopdnefs  of  the  Lord  toward  his  poor 
O'eatures. 

'  An  epiftle  went  forth  frqm  this  yearly- 
meeting,  which  I  think  good  to  give  a 
place  in  this  journal ;  being  as  follows  : 


Froirt 


OF   JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  103 


From  the  yearly-meeting  held  at  Philadel- 
phia, for  Penafylvania  and  New-Jerfey, 
fronx  the  twenty-fecond  day  of  the  ninth 
month,  to  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  the 
fame,  inclufive,  1759. 

'To  the  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings  of 
friends  belonging  to  the  faid  yearly-^meet- 
ing. 

Dearly  beloved  friends  and  brethren, 

TN  an  awful  fenfe  of  the  wifdom  and  good- 
ncfs  of  the  Lord  our  God,  whofe  tender 
mercies  have  long  been  continued  to  us  in 
this  land,  we  afFe(51:ionately  falute  you,  with 
iincere  and  fervent  delires,  that  we  may  re- 
verently regard  the  difpenfations  of  liis  pro- 
vidence, and  improve  under  them.'' 

The  empires  and  kingdoms  of  the  earth 
are  fubje6l  to  his  Almighty  power  :  He  is  the 
God  of  the  fpirits  of  all  flefh ;  and  deals  with 
his  people  agreeable  to  that  wifdom,  the  depth 
whereof  is  to  us  unfearchable :  wf,  in  thefe 
provinces,  may  fay,  He  hath,  as  a  gracious 
and  tender  parent,  dealt  bountifully  with  us, 
even  from  the  days  of  our  fathers  :  it  was  He 
who  ftrengthened  them  to  labour  through  the 
difficulties  attending  the  improvement  of  a 
wildernefs,  and  made  way  for  them  in  the 
hearts  of  the  natives;  fo  that  by  them  they 
vrere  comforted  in  tiiiaes  of  want  and  difti^efs : 

It: 


I04   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


it  was  by  the  gracious  influences  of  his  holy 
fpirit,  that  they  were  difpofed  to  work  righ- 
teoufnefs,  and  walk  uprightly  one  towards 
another,  and  towards  the  natives,  and  in  life 
and  converfation  to  manifeft  the  excellency  of 
the  principles  and  do6lrines  of  the  chriftiaa 
religion ;  and  thereby  they  retain  their  efteem 
and  friendlliip  :  v/hilft  they  were  labouring 
for  the  neceflaries  of  life,  many  of  them  were 
fervently  engaged  to  promote  piety  and  vir- 
tue in  the  earth,  and  educate  their  children 
in  the  fear  of  the  Lord," 

If  we  carefully  conlider  the  peaceable 
meafures  purfued  in  the  firfh  fettlement  of 
the  land,  and  that  freedom  from  the  defola- 
tions  of  wars,  which  for  a  long  time  we  en- 
joyed, we  fhall  find  ourfelves  under  ftrong 
obligations  to  the  Almighty,  who,  \vhen  the 
earth  is  fo  generally  polluted  with  wicked- 
nefs,  gave  us  a  being  in  ^  part  fo  fignaliy  fa- 
voured with  tranquillity  and  plenty,  and  in 
which  the  glad  tidings  of  the  gofpel  of 
Chrift  are  fo  freely  publiflied,  that  we  may 
juftly  fay  with  the  pfalmift,  What  Ihall 
we  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  bene- 
"  fits?"/ 

Our  own  real  good,  and  the  good  of  our 
poflerity  in  fome  meaiure  depends  on  the 
part  we*acl ;  and  it  nearly  concerns  us  to  try 
our  foundation^  impartially.  Such  are  the 
different  rewards  of  the  juft  and  imjuft  in  a 
future  ftfite,  that  to  attend  diligently  to  the 
didlates  of  the  fpirit  of  Chrift,  to  devote  our- 
felves to  his  fervice^  and  engage  fervently  in 

his 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  105 


his  caufe,  during  our  fliort  flay  in  this  world, 
is  a  choice  well  becoming  a  free  intelligent 
creature  ;  we  ihall  thus  clearly  fee  and  con- 
fider  that  the  dealings  of  God  with  mankind 
in  a  national  capacity,  as  recorded  in  holy 
writ,  do  fulEciently  evidence  the  truth  of 
that  faying,      it  is  righteoufnefs  which  ex- 
alteth  a  nation      and  though  he  doth  not 
at  all  times  fuddenly  execute  his  judgments 
on  a  finful  people  in  this  life,  yet  we  fee  by 
many  inftances,  that  where      men  follow 
^'  lying  vanities,  they  forfake  their  own  mer- 
cies and  as  a  proud  felfilh  fpirit  prevails 
and  fpreads  among  a  people,  fo  partial  judg- 
ment, oppreflion,  difcord,  envy  and  confa- 
fions  increafe,  and  provinces  and  kingdoms 
are  made  to  drink  the  cup  of  adverfity  as  a 
reward  of  their  own  doings.    Thus  the  in- 
fpired  prophet,  reafoning  with  the  degene- 
rated Jews,  faith,      Thine  own  ^wickednefs 
fhall  corre(5l  thee,  and  thy  backflidings 
fliall  reprove  thee  :  know  therefore,  that 
it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  that  thou 
haft  forfaken  the  Lord  thy  God,  and 
^'  that  my  fear  is  not  in  thee,  faith  the  Lord 
God  of  Hofls."  Jer.  ii.  19. 

The  God  of  our  fathers,  w^ho  hath  be- 
fro  v\^ed  on  us  many  benefits,  furniihed  a  ta- 
ble for  us  in  the  wildernefs,  and  made  the 
defarts  and  folitary  places  to  rejoice;  he  doth 
now  mercifully  call  upon  us  to  ferve  him 
more  faithfully — We  may  truly  fay  with  the 
prophet,  it  is  his  voice  which  crieth  to  the 
city,  and  men  of  wifdom  fee  his  name : 

They 


io6    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

They  regard  the  rod,  and  hijn  -wlio  hath 
aptpclnted  it".-— People  who  look  chiefly  at 
thing.s  outward,  too  little  coiifider  the  ori- 
ginal cauf :  of  the  prefent  troubles  ;  but  fuch 
who  fear  the  Lord,  and  think  often  upon 
his  name,  they  fee  and  feel  that  a  wrong 
fpirit  is  fpreading  among  the  inhabitants  of 
our  country  ;  that  the  hearts  of  many  are 
waxed  fat,  and  their  ears  dull  of  hearing  ; 
th^t  the  Moft  High,  in  his  vifitations  to  us, 
inftead  of  calling,  he  lifteth  up  liis  voice  and 
crieth  ;  he  crieth  to  our  country,  and  his. 
voice  waxeth  louder  and  louder.    In  former 
wars  between  the  Eaglilh  and  other  nations, 
fince  the  fettlement  of  our  provinces,  the  ca- 
lamities attending  them  have  fallen  chiefly 
on  other  places,  but  now  of  late  they  have 
reached  to  our  borders  ;  juany  of  our  feliov/ 
fubje(5ls  have  fufFered  on  and  near  our  fron- 
tiers, fbme  have  been  flain  in  battle,  fome. 
killed  in  their  houfes,  and  fome  in  their  fields, 
fome  v/ounded  and  left  in  great  mifery,  and 
others  feparatcd  from  their  wives  and  little 
children,  who  have  been  carried  captives 
among  the  Lidians  :  We  have  feen  men  and 
w^omen,  wdio  have  been  witnefTes  of  thefe 
fcenes  of  fbrrow,  and  being  reduced  to  want, 
have  come  to  our  houfes  aildng  relief.— It 
is  not  long  fince  it  was  the  cafe  of  many 
yotmg  men  in  one  of  thefe  provinces  to  be 
draughted,  in  order  to  be  taken  as  foldiers ; 
fome  where  at  that  time  in  great  diftrefs,  and 
had  occafion  to  confider  that  their  lives  had 
been  too  little  coafprmable  to  the  purity  and 

fpirituality 


ot    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  107 


fpirituality  of  that  religion  which  we  pro- 
fefs,  and  found  themlelves  too  little  ac- 
quainted with  that  inward  humihty,  in 
which  true  fortitude  to  endure  hardnefs  for 
the  truth's  fake  is  experienced. -—Many  pa- 
rents were  concerned  for  their  children,  and 
in  that  time  of  trial  were  led  to  coniider, 
that  their  care  to  get  outward  treafure  for 
them,  had  been  greater  than  their  care  for 
their  fettlement  in  that  religion  which  cruci- 
fieth  to  the  world,  and  enableth  to  bear  a 
clear  teftimony  to  the  peaceable  go\^rnment 
of  the  Meffiah,  Thefe  troubles  are  removed, 
and  for  a  time  we  are  releafed  from  them." 
v  Let  us  not  forget  that  "  the  Moft  High  hath 
his  way  in  the  deep,  in  clouds  and  in  thick 
darknefs''— that  it  is  his  voice  which  crieth 
to  the  city  and  to  the  country ;  and  oh !  that 
thefe  loud  and  awakening  cries,  may  have  a 
proper  efFedl  upon  us,  that  heavier  chaftife- 
ment  may  not  become  neceifary !  For  though 
things,  as  to  the  outward,  may,  for  a  fliort 
^  time,  afford  a  pleafing  profpedl;  yet,  while 
<i  felfifli  fpirit,  that  is  not  fubjedl  to  the  crofs 
of  Chrift,  continueth  to  fpread  and  prevail, 
there  can  be  no  long  continuance  in  outward 
peace  and  tranquillity.  If  we  defire  an  inhe- 
ritance incorruptible,  and  to  be  at  reft  in  that 
ftate  of  peace  and  happinefs,  which  ever  con- 
tinues J  if  we  defire  in  this  life  to  dwell  un- 
der the  fp.vour  and  protection  of  that  al- 
mighty Being,  whofe  habitation  is  in  hoii- 
riefs,  whofe  ways  are  all  equal  and  whofe 
anger  is  now  kindled,  becaufe  of  our  back- 
Hidings 


io8     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


Hidings  ;  let  us  then  awfully  regard  thefe 
beginnings  of  his  fore  judgments,  and  with 
abafement  and  humiliation  turn  to  Him, 
whom  we  have  offended." 

Contending  with  one  equal  in  ftrength,  is 
an  uneafy  exercife  ;  but  if  the  Lord  is  be- 
come our  enemy,  if  we  perfifl  to  contend 
with  Him  who  is  Omnipotent,  our  over- 
throw will  be  unavoidable." 

Do  we  feel  an  aife6lionate  regard  to  pofte- 
rity  ;  and  are  we  employed  to  promote  their 
happinefs  ?  Do  our  minds,  in  things  out- 
ward, look  beyond  our  own  diifolution  ;  and 
are  we  contriving  for  the  profperity  of  our 
children  after  us  ?  Let  us  then,  like  wife 
builders,  lay  the  foundation  deep ;  and  by 
our  conftant  uniform  regard  to  an  inward 
piety  and  virtue,  let  them  fee  that  we  really 
value  it :  let  us  labour  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  that  their  innocent  minds,  while  young 
and  tender,  may  be  preferved  from  corrup- 
tions ;  that  as  they  advance  in  age,  they 
may  rightly  underftand  their  true  intereft, 
may  confider  the  uncertainty  of  temporal 
things,  and,  above  all,  have  their  hope  and 
confidence  firmly  fettled  in  the  blefiing  of 
that  Almighty  Being,  who  inhabits  eternity, 
and  preferves  and  fupports  the  world." 

"  In  all  our  cares  about  worldly  treafures, 
let  us  fleadily  bear  in  mind,  that  riches  pof- 
felTed  by  children,  who  do  not  truly  ferve 
God,  are  likely  to  prove  fnares  that  may 
more  grievoully  entangle  them  in  that  fpirit 
of  felfiihxiefs  and  exaltation,  which  ftands  in 

oppofi'? 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  109 


oppofition  to  real  peace  and  happinefs  ;  and 
renders  them  enemies  to  the  crols  of  Chrift, 
who  fiibmit  to  the  influence  of  it.'^ 

To  keep  a  watchful  eye  towards  real  ob- 
jedls  of  charity,  to  vifit  the  poor  in  their 
lonefome  dwelling-placed,  to  comfort  them 
who,  through  the  difpenfations  of  Divine 
Providence,  are  in  ftrait  and  painful  circum- 
ftances  in  this  life,  and  fteadily  to  endeavour 
to  honour  God  with  our  fubftance,  from  a 
real  fenfe  of  the  love  of  Chrift  influencing 
our  minds  thereto,  is  more  likely  to  bring  a 
blefllng  to  our  children,  and  will  aftbrd  more 
fatisfadlion  to  a  chrifl:ian  favoured  with  plen- 
ty, than  an  earneft  defire  to  colledl  much 
wealth  to  leave  behind  us,  for here  we  have 
no  continuing  city may  w^e  therefore  di- 
ligently ^'  feek  one  that  is  to  come,  whole 
builder  and  maker  is  God.'* 

Finally,  brethren,  whatfoever  things  are 
true,  whatfoever  things  are  jufl;,  wdiatfo- 
ever  things  are  pure,  whatfoever  things 
^'  are  lovely,  whatfoever  things  are  of  good 
report ;  if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there 
be  any  praife,  think  on  thefe  things  and 
do  them,  and  the  God  of  peace  fliall  be 
^'  with  you." 

Signed  by  appointment^  and  on  behalf  of 
our  faid  meeting,  by  feven  friends. 


On 


110   The  life  and  TRAVELS 


On  the  twenty-eighth  day  of  the  eleventh 
month,  in  the  year  1759,  I  was  at  the  quar- 
terly-meeting ill  Bucks  county :  this  day  be- 
ing the  meeting  of  minifters  and  elders,  my 
heart  was  enlarged  in  the  love  of  Jefus  Chrift; 
and  the  favour  of  the  Moft  High  was  ex- 
tended to  us  in  that  and  the  eniuing  meet^ 

I  had  converfatidn^  at  rliy  lodging,  w4th 
my  beloved  friend  Samuel  Eaftburn  ;  whd 
exprelled  a  concern  to  join  in  a  vifit  to  fbme 
friends,  in  that  county^  who  had  negroes  ; 
and  as  I  had  felt  a  draught  in  my  mind  to 
that  work  in  the  faid  county,  I  came  home 
and  put  things  in  order :  on  the  eleventh 
day  of  the  twelfth  iiionth  following,  I  went 
over  the  river;  and  on  the  next  day  was  at 
Buckinghani  meeting  ;  where,  through  the 
defcendings  of  heavenly  dew,  my  mind  was 
comforted,  and  drawn  into  a  near  unity  with 
the  flock  of  Jefus  Chrift. 

Entering  vipon  this  vifit  appeared  weighty  i 
'  and  before  I  left  home  my  mind  was  often 
fad  ;  under  which  exercile  I  felt,  at  times ^ 
the  Holy  Spirit  which  helps  our  infirmities  ;  , 
through  which 5  in  private,  toy  prayers  were^ 
it  times,  put  up  to  God,  that  he  would  be 
pleafed  to  purge  me  froiii  all  felfiilmefs,  that 
I  might  be  ilrengthened  to  difcharge  my 
duty  faithfully,  how  hard  foever  to  the  na- 
tural part.  We  proceeded  on  the  vifit  in  a 
weighty  frame  of  fpirit,  and  went  to  the 
houfes  of  the  moft  adlive  members,  through- 
out the  county,   vAio  had  negroes  ;  and, 

through 


OF    JOHN   WOOLMAN.  in 

through  the  goadnefs  o£  the  Lord,  my  mind 
was  preierved  in  refignation  in  times  of  trial ^ 
and  though  the  work  was  hard  to  nature^ 
yet  through  the  ftrength  of  that  love  which 
IS  ilronger  than  death,  tendernefs  of  heart 
was  often  felt  amongfl  us  in  our  vilits,  and 
We  parted  from  feveral  families  with  greater 
fatisfadlion  than  we  expected. 

We  viEted  Jofeph  White's  family^  he  be- 
ing in.  England  ;  had  alfo  a  fpanily  fitting  at 
the  houfe  of  an  elder  who  bore  us  company^ 
and  was  at  Makefield  on  a  firft  day  :  at  all 
which  times  my  heart  Was  truly  thankful  to 
the  Lord^  who  wa>s  gracioufiy  pleafed  to  re- 
iaew  his  loving-^kindnefs  to  us,  his  poor  fer- 
vant;s,  uniting  us  together  in  his  work, 
[_  In  the  winter  of  this  year,  the  fmall-pox  be*- 
ing  in  our  town,  and  many  being  inoculated, 
of  which  a  few  died,  fbme  things  were  open- 
ed in  my  mind,  which  I  wrote  as  follow : 

The  more  fully  our  lives  are  conformable 
to  the  yv'ill  of  God,  the  better  it  is  for  us, — 
I  have  looked  on  the  fmall-pox  as  a  melTenger 
from  the  Almighty,  to  be  an  affiltant  in  the 
caufe  of  virtue,  and  to  incite  us  to  confider 
whether  we  employ  our  time  only  in  fuch 
things  as  are  confiftent  with  perfe45t  wifdom 
and  goodnefs. 

Building  houfes  fuitable  to  dwell  in,  for 
ourfelves  and  our  creatures  ;  preparing  cloath- 
ing  fuitable  for  the  climate  and  feafon,  and 
food  convenient,  afe  all  duties  incumbent 
on  ^^s  :  and  vmder  thefe  general  heads,  are 
rnany  branches  of  bufinefs ,  in  which  we 

.  .  '  mav 


112    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


may  venture  health  and  h£e,  as  neceflity  may 
require. 

This  difeafe  being  in  a  houfe,  and  my 
bufinefs  calHng  me  to  go  near  it,  it  incites 
me  to  think,  whether  this  bufinefs  is  a  real 
indifpenfible  duty  ;  whether  it  is  not  in  con- 
formity to  fome  cuftom,  which  would  be 
better  laid  afide  ;  or,  whether  it  does  not 
proceed  from  too  eager  a  purfuit  after  fome 
outward  treafure.  If  the  bufinefs  before  me 
fprings  not  from  a  clear  underflanding,  and 
a  regard  to  that  ufe  of  things  which  perfe6l 
wifdom  approves  ;  to  be  brought  to  a  fenfe 
of  it,  and  flopped  in  my  purfviit,  is  a  kind- 
nefs  ;  for  when  I  proceed  to  bufinefs  with- 
out fome  evidence  of  duty,  I  have  found,  by 
experience,  that  it  tends  to  weaknefs. 

If  I  am  fo  fituated  that  there  appears  no 
probability  of  mifilng  the  infedlion,  it  tends 
to  make  me  think,  whether  my  manner  of 
life,  in  things  outward,  has  nothing  in  if 
which  may  unfit  my  body  to  receive  this 
mefiTenger  in  a  way  the  moft  favourable  to 
me.  Do  I  ufe  food  and  drink  in  no  other 
fort,  and  in  no  other  degree,  than  was  de- 
figned  by  Him,  who  gave  thefe  creatures  for 
our  fiiftenance  ?  Do  I  never  abufe  my  body 
by  inordinate  labour,  ftriving  to  accomplifh 
fome  end  which  I  have  un wifely  propofed  ? 
Do  I  ufe  action  enough  in  fome  ufeful  em- 
ploy ?  Or,  do  I  fit  too  much  idle,  while  fome 
perfons,  who  labour  to  fupport  me,  have  too 
great  a  fhare  of  it  ?    If,  in  any  of  thefe 

things, 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  ii^ 

thiTigSj  I  am  deficient,  to  be  incited  to  con- 
fider  it,  is  a  favour  to  me. 

There  is  employ  neceffkry  in  fecial  life  j 
and  this  infection,  which  often  proves  mor- 
tal, incites  me  to  think,  whether  thefe  focial 
a6ls  of  mine  are  real  duties :  if  I  go  on  a 
vifit  to  the  widows  and  fatherlefs,  do  I  go 
purely  on  a  principle  of  charity,  free  from 
any  felfilli  views  ?  If  I  go  to  a  religious 
meeting,  it  puts  me  on  thinking,  whether  I  go 
in  fincerity  and  in  a  clear  fenle  of  duty  ;  or 
whether  it  is  not  partly  in  conformity  to 
cuflom,  or  partly  from  a  fenfible  delight 
which  my  animal  fpirits  feel  in  the  com- 
pany of  other  people  ;  and  whether  to  fup- 
port  my  reputation  as  a  religious  man,  has 
no  lliare  in  it. 

Do  affairs,  relating  to  civil  fociety,  call 
me  near  this  infection  ?  If  I  go,  it  is  at  the 
hazard  of  my  health  and  life ;  and  becomes  me 
to  think  ferioully,  whether  love  to  truth  and 
righteoufnefs  is  the  motive  of  my  attending  ; 
whether  the  manner  of  proceeding, ,  is  alto- 
gether equitable  ;  or  v^rhether  aught  of  nar- 
rownefs,  party  intereft,  refpedl  to  outward 
dignities,  names,  or  diftindlions  among  men, 
do  not  ftain  the  beauty  ,  of  thofe  affemblies, 
and  i-ender  it  doubtful,  in  point  of  duty, 
whether  a  difciple  of  Chrift  ought  to  attend 
as  a  member  united  to  the  body  or  not. 

Whenever  there  are  blemifiies  which,  for 
a  feries  of  time,  remain  fuch  ;  that  which 
is  a  means  of  ftirring  us  up  to  look  atten- 
tively on  thefe  blemiflies,.  and  to  labour  ac- 

I  cording 


n4  The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

cording  to  our  capacities,  to  have  health  and 
Ibundnefs  reftored  in  our  country,  we  may 
juftly  account  a  kindnefs  from  our  gracious 
Father,  who  appointed  that  mean* 

The  care  of  a  wife  and  good  man  for 
his  only  fon,  is  inferior  to  the  regard  of  the 
great  Parent  of  the  univerfe  for  his  creatures. 
He  hath  the  command  of  all  the  powers  and 
operations  in  nature  ;  and  doth  not  afBidl 
willingly,  nor  grieve  the  children  of  men 
chaftifement  is  intended  for  inftrudlion,  and 
inftrudlion  being  received  by  gentle  chaftife- 
ment, greater  calamities  are  prevented. 

By  an  earthquake  hundreds  of  houfes  are 
fometimes  fliaken  down  in  a  few  minutes, 
and  multitudes  of  people  perifli  fuddenly  ; 
and  many  more  being  crufhed  and  bruifed  in 
the  ruins  of  the  buildings,  pine  away  and 
die  in  great  mifery. 

the  breaking  in  of  enraged  mercilefs 
armies,  flourifhing  countries  have  been  laid 
wafte,  and  great  numbers  of  people  periflied 
in  a  fliort  time,  and  many  more  preffed  with 
poverty  and  grief. 

By  the  pefti]ence  people  have  died  fo  faft 
in  a  city,  that  through  fear,  griet  and  con- 
fufion,  thofe  in  health  have  found  great  dif- 
ficulty in  burying  the  dead,  even  without 
coffins. 

By  famine,  great  numbers  of  people,  in 
fome  places,  have  been  brought  jto  the  ut-- 
moft  diftrefs,  and  pined  away  for  want  of 
the  necefTaries  of  life.  Thus,  where  the  kind 
invitcttions,  and  gentle  chaftifements,  of  a 

gracious 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  ttj 


gracloits  God  have  not  been  attended  to,  hi^ 
fore  judgments  have,  at  times,  been  poured 
out  upon  people. 

While  fome  rules  approved  in  civil  fo-* 
tiety,  and  conformable  to  human  policy,  fb 
called,  are  diftinguifliable  from  the  purity  of 
truth  and  righteoufnefs  :  whil6  many  pro- 
feffing  truth,  are  declining  from  that  ardent 
love  and  heavenly  mindednefs,  which  was 
amongft  the  primitive  followers  of  Jefus 
Chrift :  it  is  a  time  for  lis  to  attend  diligent- 
ly^  to  the  intent  of  every  chaflifement,  and 
Conlider  the  moft  deep  and  inward  dcfigri  of 
them. 

The  Mofh  High  doth  not  often  fpeak  with 
an  outward  voice  to  our  outward  ears  ;  but^ 
if  we  humbly  meditate  on  his  perfedlions, 
confider  that  he  is  perfedl  wifdom  and  good- 
riefs,  and  to  affli£l  his  creatures  to  no  pur- 
pofe,  would  be  utterly  reverfe  to  his  nature^ 
we  fhall  hear  and  underftand  his  language^ 
both  in  his  gentle  and  more  heavy  chaftile- 
ments ;  and  take  heed  that  we  do  not,  in  the 
wifdom  of  this  world,  endeavour  to  efcape 
his  hand  by  means  too  powerful  for  us. 

Had  he  endowed  men  with  underftanding 
to  hinder  the  force  of  this  difeafe  by  irtno- 
eent  means,  which  had  never  proved  mor- 
tal nor  hurtful  to  our  bodies,  fuch  difcovery 
might  be  confidered  as  the  period  of  chaflife- 
ment by  this  diftemper,  where  that  know- 
ledge extended  :  but  as  life  and  health  ard 
his  gifts,  and  not  to  be  difpofed  of  in  our 
Own  wills,  to  take  upon  us,  when  in  healthy 

I  2  a  diftemper 


ii6   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

a  diflemper,  of  which  fome  die,  requires 
great  clearnefs  of  knowledge,  that  it  is  our 
duty  to  do  fo. 


CHAP.  VIL 

His  vtfit^  in  company  ivith  Samuel  Eaftburtii 
to  Long-IJland^  Rhode-IJland^  Bojlon^  <^Ti 
in  Nt%v-England  ~  Remarks  on  the  Jlave- 
trade  at  Neivport^  and  his  exercife  on  that 
account ;  alfo  on  lotteries^Some  obfervations 
on  the  ijland  of  Nantucket. 

HAVINGj  for  fome  time  paft^  felt  a 
fympathy  in  my  mind  with  friends 
Eaftward,  I  opened  my  concern  in  our  month- 
ly-meeting ;  and,  obtaining  a  certificate,  fet 
forward  on  the  feventeenth  day  of  the  fourth 
month,  in  the  year  1760,  joining  in  com-^ 
pany,  by  a  previous  agreement,  with  my  be-* 
loved  friend  Samuel  Eaftburn,  We  had  meet- 
ings at  Woodbridge,  Rahaway  and  Plain- 
field  ;  and  were  at  their  monthly-meeting  of 
minifters  and  elders  in  Rahaway.  We  la- 
boured  under  fome  difcouragement  ;  but^ 
through  the  invifible  power  of  truth,  our  vi- 
fit  was  made  reviving  to  the  lowly  minded, 
with  whom  T  felt  a  near  unity  of  fpirit,  be- 
ing 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  117 


ing  imich  reduced  in  my  mind.  We  pafled 
on,  and  vilited  chief  of  the  meeti|igs  on 
Lqng-Ifland.  It  was  my  concern,  from  day 
to  day,  to  fay  no  more  nor  lefs  than  what 
the  fpirit  of  truth  opened  in  me,  being  jea- 
lous over  myfelf,  left  I  fliould  fpeak  any 
thing  to  make  my  teftimony  look  agreeable 
to  that  mind  in  people,  which  is  not  in  pure 
pbedience  to  the  crofs  of  Chrift. 

The  fpring  of  the  miniftry  was  often  low ; 
and,  through  the  fubjedixng  power  of  truths 
we  were  kept  low  with  it ;  and  from  place  to 
place,  fuch  whofe  hearts  were  truly  concern- 
led  for  the  caufe  of  Chrift,  appeared  to  bq 
comforted  in  our  labours  ;  and,  though  it 
was  in  general  a  time  of  abafement  of  the 
creature,  yet,  through  His  goodnefs,  who 
is  a  helper  of  the  poor,  we  had  fome  truly 
edifying  feafqns  both  in  meetings,  and  in  fa-- 
milies  wdiere  we  tarried  ;  and  fometimes 
found  ftrength  to  labour  earneftly  with  the 
unfaithful,  efpecially  with  thofe,  whofe  fta- 
tion  in  families,  or  in  the  fociety  was  fuch^ 
that  their  example  had  a  pow~erful  tendency 
to  open  the  way  for  others  to  go  afide  fron? 
the  purity  and  foundnefs  of  the  blefled 
truth.  At  Jericho,  on  Long-Ifland,  I  wrote 
hoBi^  as  follows  : 


pearJjr 


ii8   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


2^th  of  the  4th  month,  17^0^ 


Dearly  beloved  wife, 

-  \\7E  are  favoured  with  health ;  have  been 
at  fundry  meetings  in  Eaft-Jerfey,, 
and  on  this  ifland :  my  mind  hath  been 
much  in  an  inward  watchful  frame  fince  I 
left  thee,  greatly  defiring  that  our  proceed- 
ings may  be  fingly  in  the  will  of  our  hea- 
venly Father." 

T  As  the  prefent  appearance  of  things  is 
not  joyous,  I  have  been  much  fhut  up  from 
outward  chearfulnefs,  remembering  that  pro- 
mife,  ■  '  Then  flialt  thou  delight  thyfelf  in 
the  Lord  — -as  this,  from  day  to  day,  has 
been  revived  in  my  memory,  I  have  confi- 
dered  that  his  internal  prefence  on  our  minds,^ 
is  a  delight  of  iall  others  the  moft  pure;  and 
that  the  haneft-hearted  not  only  delight  in 
this,  but  in  the  eiBTedl  of  it  upon  them.  He 
who  regards  the  helplefs  and  diftreffed,  and 
reveals  his  love  to  his  children  under  afflic- 
tion, they  delight  in  beholding  his  benevo- 
lence, and  feeling  divine  charity  moving  up- 
on them  :  of  this  I  may  fpeak  a  little ;  for 
though,  fince  I  left  yovi,  I  have  often  found 
an  engaging  love  and  afFe6lion  toward  thee 
and  my  daughter,  and  friends  about  home, 
that  going  out  at  this  time,  when  ficknefs  is 
fo  great  amongft  you,  is  a  trial  upon  me ; 

yet 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  119 


yet  I  often  remember  there  are  many  wi-^ 
^ows  and  fatherlefs,  many  who  have  poor 
tutors,  many  who  have  evil  examples  before 
them,  and  many  whofe  minds  are  in  capti- 
vity, for  w^hofe  fake  ray  heart  is,  at  times, 
moved  with  compafTion,  that  I  feel  my  mind 
refigned  to  leave  you  for  a  feafon,  to  exercife 
that  gift  which  the  Lord  hath  bellowed  on 
me;  which, though  fmall,  compared  with 
fome,  yet  in  this  I  rejoice,  that  I  feel  love 
unfeigned  toward  my  fellow-creatures.  I 
recommend  you  to  the  Almighty,  who,  I 
truft  cares  for  you ;  and  under  a  fenfe  of  his 
heavenly  love,  remain'^ 

Thy  loving  hufband,^* 

J.  W,'^ 

•  ■ 

We  crofled  from  the  eaft  end  of  Long;^ 
Ifland  to  New-London,  about  thirty  miles^ 
in  a  large  open  boat ;  while  we  were  out,  tiiQ 
wind  rifing  high,  the  waves  feveral  times 
beat  over  us,  that  to  me  it  appeared  danger- 
ous ;  but  my  mind  was,  at  that  time,  turn-^ 
ed  to  Him,  who  made  and  governs  the  deep, 
and  my  life  was  refigned  to  him ;  ^nd  as  lie 
was  mercifully  pleafed  to  preferve  us,  I  had 
frefh  occafion  to  confider  every  day  as  a  day 
lent  to  me ;  and  felt  a  renewed  engagement 
to  devote  my  time,  and  ^11  I  had,  to  Jiim, 
who  gave  it. 

We  had  five  meetings  in  Narraganfet ;  and 
wmX  thence  to  Newport  on  Rhode-Iiland. 


I20   The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


Our  gracious  Father  preferved  us  in  an  hum-* 
ble  dependance  on  him  through  deep  exer-^ 
cifes,  that  were  mortifying  to  the  creaturely 
will.  In  feveral  families  in  the  country, 
where  we  lodged,  I  felt  an  engagement  on 
my  mind  to  have  a  conference  with  them  in 
private  concerning  their  flaves ;  and,  thro' 
divine  aid,  I  v/as  favoured  to  give  up  there-^ 
to  :  though,  in  this  concern,  I  appear  lin- 
gular from  many,  v/hofe  fervice  in  travelling, 
I  believe,  is  greater  than  mine  ;  I  do  not 
think  hard  of  them  for  omitting  it ;  I  do 
not  repine  at  having  To  unpleafant  a  tallc  af^ 
figned  me,  but  look  with  awfulnefs  to  Him, 
who  appoints  to  his  fervants  their  refpedlive 
employmentSj  and  is  good  to  all  who  ferve 
him  lincerely, 

We  got  to  Newport  in  the  evening  :  and 
on  the  next  day  vilited  two  fick  perfons,  and 
had  comfortable  fittings '  with  them  ;  and  in 
the  afternoon  attended  the  burial  of  a  friend. 

The  next  day  w^e  were  at  meetings  at 
Newport,  in  the  forenoon  and  afternoon  j 
where  the  fpring  of  the  miniftry  w^as  opened, 
and  ftrength  given  to  declare  the  Word  of 
Life  to  the  people. 

The  next  day  we  went  on  our  journey  j  but 
the  great  number  of  flaves  in  thefe  parts, 
and  the  continuance  of  that  trade  from  thence 
to  Guinea,  made  deep  impreffion  on  me  ;  and 
my  cries  were  often  put  up  to  my  heavenly 
Father  in  fecret,  that  he  ^  would  enable  me  to 
difcharge  my  duty  faithfully,  in  fuch  way 
'as  he  might  be  pleafed  to  point  out  to  me. 

We 


OF   JOHN  WOOLMAN.  121 

We  took  Swanfea,  Freetown,  and  Tanton, 
in  ovir  way  to  Bofton  ;  where  alfo  we  had  a 
meeting ;  our  exercife  was  deep,  and  the  love 
of  truth  prevailed,  for  which  I  blefs  the 
Lord.  We  went  eaftward  about  eighty  nailes 
beyond  Bofton,  taking  meetings,  and  were 
in  a  good  degree  preferved  in  an  humble  de- 
pendance  on  that  arm  which  drew  us  out ; 
and,  though  we  had  fome  hard  labour  v^ith 
the  difobedient,  laying  things  home  and  clofe 
to  fuch  as  were  flout  againil  the  truth  ;  yet, 
thro'  the  goodnefs  of  God,  we  had,  at  times, 
to  partake  of  heavenly  conifort  with  them  who 
,were  meek,  and  were  often  favoured  to  part 
vAth  friends  in  the  nearnefs  of  true  gofpel  fel- 
lowfhip.  We  returned  to  Bofton,  and  had 
another  comfortable  opportu.nity  with  friends 
there  ;  and  thence  rode  back  a  day's  journey 
eaftward  of  Bofton ;  our  guide  being  a  heavy 
man,  and  the  weather  hot,  and  my  companion 
and  I  confidering  it,  expreffed  our  freedom  to 
go  on  without  him,  to  v/hich  he  confented, 
and  we  refpedlfully  took  our  leave  of  him ;  this 
we  did,  as  believing  the  journey  would  have 
been  hard  to  him  and  his  horfe. 

We  viftted  the  meetings  in  thofe  parts,  and 
were  meafurably  baptized  into  a  feeling  of 
tlie  ftate  of  the  fociety ;  and  in  bowednefs  of 
fpirit  went  to  the  yearly-meeting  at  New*- 
port;  where  I  underftood  that  a  large  num- 
ber of  flaves  were  imported  from  Africa  into 
that  town,  and  then  on  fale  by  a  member  of 
our  fpciety.  At  this  meeting  we  met  with 
John  Storer  from  England,  Elizabeth  Ship-^ 

ley, 


122    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


ley,  Ann  Gaunt,  Hannah  Fofter,  and  Mercy 
Redman  from  our  parts,  all  minifters  of  the 
gofpel,  of  whofe  company  I  was  glad. 

At  this  time  my  appetite  failed,  and  I 
grew  outwardly  weak,  and  had  a  feeling  of 
the  condition  of  Habbakuk,  as  there  ex-^ 
preiTed.  ^'  When  I  heard  my  belly  trembled, 
my  lips  quivered,  I  trembled  in  myfelf  that  I 
might  reft  in  the  day  of  trouble  I  hadma-^ 
ny  cogitations,  and  was  forely  diftrefTed :  and 
was  delirous  that  friends  might  petition  the 
legiflature,  to  ufe  their  endeavours  to  difcou- 
rage  the  future  importation  of  flaves  ;  for  I 
faw  that  this  trade  was  a  great  evil,  and 
tended  to  multiply  troubles,  and  bring  dif-- 
trefTes  on  the  people,  in  thofe  parts,  for  whofe 
welfare  my  heart  was  deeply  concerned. 

But  I  perceived  feveral  difficulties  in  regard 
to  petitioning ;  and  fach  was  the  exercife  of 
my  mind,  that  I  had  thought  of  endeavour- 
ing to  get  an  opportunity  to  fpeak  a  few 
w^ords  in  the  Houfe  of  AfTembly,  then  fetting 
in  town.  This  exercife  came  upon  me  in  the 
afternoon,  on  the  fecond  day  of  the  yearly- 
meeting,  and  going  to  bed,  I  got  no  fleep 
till  my  mind  was  wholly  refigned  therein ; 
and  in  the  morning  I  enquired  of  a  friend 
how  long  the  AlTembly  were  likely  to  conti- 
nue fitting  ;  who  told  me,  they  were  expedl- 
€d  to  be  prorogued  that  day  or  the  next. 

As  I  was  delirous  to  attend  the  bufinefs  of 
the  meeting,    and  perceived  the  Affembly 
were  likely  to  depart  before  the  bufinefs  was 
oyer  j  after  conliderable  exercife,  humbly 

feeking 


OF  JOHN   WOOLMAN.  123 


feeking  to  the  Lord  for  inftrudlion,  my  mind 
fettled  to  attend  on  the  bufinefs  of  the  meet-^ 
ing ;  on  the  laft  day  of  which ,  I  had  pre- 
pared a  lliort  eflay  of  a  petition  to  be  pre- 
fented  to  the  legiflature,  if  way  opened  :  and 
being  informed  that  there  were  fome  ap- 
pointed, by  that  yearly-meeting,  to  fpeak 
with  thofe  in  authority,  in  cafes  relating  to 
the  fociety,  I  opened  my  mind  to  feveral  of 
them,  and  fhewed  them  the  elFay  I  had  made; 
and  afterward  opened  the  cafe  in  the  meet- 
ing for  bufinefs,  in  fub fiance  as  follows  : 

I  have  been  under  a  concern  for  fome 
time,  on  account  of  the  great  number  of 
flaves  which  are  imported  into  this  colony ;  I 
am  aware  that  it  is  a  tender  point  to  fpeak  to^ 
but  apprehend  I  am  not  clear  iii  the  fight  of 
heaven  without  fpeaking  to  it.  I  have  pre-, 
pared  an  eflay  of  a  petition,  if  way  open,  to 
be  prefented  to  the  legiflature  ;  and  what 
have  to  propofe  to  this  meeting  is,  that  Ibme 
friends  may  be  named  to  withdraw  and  look 
over  it,  and  report  wdiether  they  believe  it 
fuitabie  to  be  read  in  the  meeting  ;  if  they 
fhould  think  well  of  reading  it,  it  will  re-* 
main  for  the  meeting,  after  hearing  it,  to 
confider,  whether  to  take  any  further  notice 
of  it  as  a  meeting  or  not/'  After  a  fhort  con--, 
ference  fome  friends  went  out,  and  looking 
over  it,  exprefifed  their  willingnefs  to  have  it 
read  ;  which  being  done,  many  expreffed 
their  unity  with  the  propofal ;  and  fome  fig- 
nifi'ed,  that  to  have  the  fubjedts  of  the  peti- 
tion enlarged  upon,  an(^  to  be  figned  out  of 

meetin^^ 


X24    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

meeting  by  fuch  wlio  were  free,  would  be 
more  luitable  than  to  do  it  there  :  though 
I  expelled  at  firft,  that  if  it  was  done  it 
would  be  in  that  way ;  yet,  fuch  was  the  ex- 
ercife  of  my  mind,  that  to  move  it  in  the 
hearing  of  friends  when  affembled,  appeared 
to  me  as  a  duty ;  for  my  heart  yearned  to- 
ward the  inhabitants  of  thefe  parts ;  believ-^ 
ing  that  by  this  trade  there  had  been  an  in- 
creafe  of  inquietude  amongft  them,  and  a  way 
made  eafy  for  the  fpreading  of  a  fpirit  oppo- 
fite  to  that  meeknefs  and  humility,  which  is 
a  fure  refting-place  for  the  foul :  and  that  the 
continuance  of  this  trade  would  not  only 
render  their  healing  more  diiEcult,  but  in-* 
creafe  their  makdy. 

Having  thus  far  proceeded,  I  felt  eafy  to 
leave  the  effay  amongft  friends,  for  them  to 
proceed  in  it  as  they  believed  beft.  And 
BOW  an  exercife  revived  on  my  mind  in 
relation  to  lotteries,  which  were  common  in 
thofe  parts :  I  had  once  moved  it  in  a  former 
fitting  of  this  meeting,  when  arguments 
were  ufed  in  favour  of  friends  being  held  ex- 
cufed,  who  were  only  concerned  in  fuch  lot-^ 
teries  as  were  agreeable  to  law :  and  now  on 
moving  it  again,  it  was  oppofed  as  before  ; 
but  the  hearts  of  fome  folid  friends  appeared 
to  be  united  to  difcourage  the  practice  a- 
mongft  their  members ;  and  the  matter  was 
zealoufly  handled  by  fome  on  both  fides.  In 
this  debate  it  appeared  very  clear  to  me,  that 
the  fpirit  of  lotteries  was  a  fpirit  of  felfifh- 
iiefs,  which  tended  to  confufion  and  dark- 

nefs 


6F  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  125 


nels  of  vinderflanding ;  and  that  pleading  for 
it  in  our  meetings^  let  apart  for  the  Lord's 
work,  was  not  right :  and  in  the  heat  of  zeal, 
I  once  made  reply  to  what  an  antient  friend 
faid,  which  when  I  fat  down,  I  faw  that  my 
words  were  not  enough  feafoned  with  chari- 
ty; and  after  this,  1  fpake  no  more  on  the 
fubjedl.  At  length  a  minute  was  made;  a, 
copy  of  which  was  agreed  to  be  fent  to  their 
feveral  qiiarterly-riaeetings,  inciting  friends^ 
to  labour  to  difcourage  the  pradlice  amongft 
all  profeffmg  with  us^ 

Some  time  after  this  minute  was  made,  I 
remaining  uneafy  with  the  manner  of  my 
fpeaking  to  the  antient  friend,  could  not  fee 
my  way  clear  to  conceal  my  uhealinefs,  but 
was  concerned  that  I  might  fay  nothing  to 
weaken  the  caufe  in  which  I  had  laboured  ; 
and  then,  after  fome  clofe  exercife  and  hearty 
repentance,  for  that  I  had  not  attended  clofe- 
iy  to  the  fafe  guide,  I  flood  up,  and  reciting 
the  pafFage,  acquainted  friends,  that  tho'  1 
dare  not  go  from  what  I  had  faid  as  to  the 
matter,  yet  I  was  uneafy  with  the  manner 
of  my  fpeaking,  as  believing  milder  lan- 
guage would  have  been  better.  As  this  was 
tittered  in  fome  degree  of  creaturely  abafe-^ 
ment,  it  appeared  to  have  a  good  favor 
amongft  us,  after  a  vv^arm  debate. 

The  yearly-meeting  being  now  over,  there 
yet  remained  on  my  mind  a  fecret,  though 
heavy,  exercife  in  regard  to  fome  leading  ac- 
tive members  about  Newport,  being  in  the 
pradlice  of  fiave-keeping.  This  I  mentioned. 

to 


$25    The  life  ard  TRAVELS 

to  two  antient  friends,  tvho  came  out  of  tll^ 
country,,  and  px^opofed  to  them,  if  way 
opened,  to  have  fome  converfation  with 
thbfe  friends  :  and  thereupoui^  dne  of  thofe 
country  friends  and  I,  confulted  one  of  the 
mod  noted  elders  who  had  flaves ;  and  he,  in 
a  refpedlful  manner^  encouraged  mc  to  pro- 
ceed to  clear  myfelf  of  what  lay  upon  me» 
Now  I  had,  near  the  beginning  of  the  yearly- 
meeting,  a  private  conference  with  this  faid 
elder  and  his  wife,  concerning  theirs ;  fo  that 
the  way  ftemed  clear  to  me^  to  advife  with 
him  about  the  manner  of  proceeding  :  I  told 
him,  I  w^as  free  to  have  a  conference  with 
them  all  together  in  a  private  houfe  ;  or  if 
he  thought  they  would  take  it  unkind  to  be 
alked  to  come  together,  and  to  be  fpoke  with 
one  in  the  hearing  of  another,  I  was  free  to 
ipend  fome  time  among  them,  and  vifit  them 
all  in  their  own  houfes  :  he  exprefTed  his  lik- 
ing to  the  firft  propofal,  not  doubting  their 
willingnefs  to  come  together :  arid  as  I  pro- 
pofed  a  vifit  to  only  minifters,  elders,  and 
overfeers  ;  he  named  fome  others,  whom  he 
defired  might  be  prefent  alfo  :  and  as  a  care- 
ful meffenger  was  wanted  to  acquaint  them 
in  a  proper  manner,  he  offered  to  go  to  all 
their  hovifes  to  open  the  matter  to  them ;  and 
did  fo.  About  the  eighth  hour  the  next 
morning,  we  met  in  the  meeting-houfe  cham- 
ber, and  the  laft-mentioned  country  friend^ 
alfo  my  companion,  and  John  Storer,  with 
us  ;  when,  after  a  fliort  time  of  retirement^ 
1  acquainted  them  wdth  the  fteps  I  had  taken 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  137 


m  procuring  that  meetings  and  opened  the 
concern  I  was  under  ;  and  fo  we  proceeded 
to  a  free  conference  upon  the  fubjecl.  My 
exercife  was  heavy,  and  I  was  deeply  bowed 
in  fpirit  before  the  Lord,  who  was  pleafed  to 
favour  with  the  feafoning  virtue  of  truth, 
which  wrought  a  tendernels  amongft  us  ;  and 
the  fubje^lH:  was  mutually  handled  in  a  calm 
and  peaceable  fpirit :  and,  at  length,  feeling 
my  mind  releafed  from  that  burthen  which 
I  had  been  under,  I  took  niy  leave  of  them,, 
in  a  good  degree  of  fatisfaclion  ;  and  by  the 
tendernefs  they  manifefted  in  regard  to  the 
practice,  and  the  concern  feveral  of  them  ex- 
prelFed  in  relation  to  the  manner  of  difpofing 
of  their  negroes  after  their  deceafe,  I  believ- 
ed that  a  good  exercife  was  fpreading  amongfl 
them  ;  and  1  am  humbly  thankful  to  God, 
who  fupported  my  mind,  and  preferved  me 
in  a  good  degree  of  refignatioil  through  thefe 
trials. 

Thou,  who  fometimes  travels  in  the  work 
of  the  miniflry,  and  art  made  very  welcome 
by  thy  friends,  feeft  many  tokens  of  tlieir 
Iktisfadtion,  in  having  thee  for  their  gueft. 
It  is  good  for  thee  to  dwell  deep,  that  thou 
mayeft  feel  and  underftand  the  Ipirits  of  peo- 
ple :  if  we  believe  truth  points  towards  a  con- 
ference on  fome  fubje6ls,  in  a  private  way, 
it  is  needful  for  us  to  take  heed  that  their 
kindnefs,  their  freedom  and  affability,  do 
not  hinder  us  from  the  Lord's  work.  I  have 
feen,  that  in  the  midft  of  kindnefs  and  fmooth 
condudl,  to  fpeak  clofe  and  home  to  them 


!iS    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


who  entertain  us,  on  points  that  relate  to 
their  outward  intereft,  is  hard  labour ;  and 
fometimes,  when  I  have  felt  truth  lead  to- 
ward it,  I  have  found  my felf  difqualified  by 
a  fuperficial  friendfliip  ;  and  as  the  fenfe 
thereof  hath  abafed  me,  and  my  cries  have 
been  to  the  Lord,  fo  I  have  been  humbled 
and  made  content  to  appear  weak,  or  as  a 
fool  for  his  fake ;  and  thus  a  door  hath  open- 
ed to  enter  upon  it.  To  attempt  to  do  the 
Lord's  work  in  our  own  way,  and  to  fpeak 
of  that  which  is  the  burthen  of  the  word, 
in  a  way  eafy  to  the  natural  part,  doth 
Hot  reach  the  bottom  of  the  diforder.  To 
fee  the  failings  of  our  friends,  and  think 
hard  of  them,  v/ithout  opening  that  which 
we  ought  to  open,  and  ftill  carry  a  face  of 
friendlhip,  this  tends  to  undermine  the  foun- 
dation of  true  unity. 

The  office  of  a  minifler  of  Ghrift  is  weigh- 
ty; and  they  who  now  go  forth  as  w'^atch-*' 
men,  had  need  to  be  fteadily  on  their  guard 
againft  the  fnares  of  profperity  and  an  out- 
fide  friendfhipi 

After  the  yeariy-meeting,  \Ye  were  at 
meetings  at  Newtown,  Cuflmet,  Long-Plain, 
Hochefter  and  Dartmouth  :  from  thence  we 
failed  for  Nantucket,  in  company  with  Ann 
Gaunt  and  Mercy  Redman,  and  feveral  other* 
friends :  the  wind  being  flack,  we  only  reached 
Tarpawling  Cove  the  fir  ft  day ;  where,  going 
on  fliore,  we  found  room  in  a  publick-houfe, 
and  beds  for  a  feW  of  us,  the  reft  fleeping 
on  the  floor  :  w^e  went  on  board  again  about 

break 


'    bf   JOliN   WOOL  MAN.  t2| 

bi^eak  of  day- ;  and  though  the  wind  wai^ 
fmall,  we  were  favoured  to  come  within  about 
four  miles  of  Nantucket ;  and  then  about  ten 
of  us  getting  into  our  boat,  we  rowed  to  the 
harbour  before  dark  ;  whereupon  a  large 
boat  going  off,  brought  in  the  reft  of  the  paf- 
fengers  about  midnight:  the  next  day  but 
one  was  their  yearly-meeting,  which  held 
four  days  ;  the  laftof  which,  was  their  month- 
ly-meeting for  bufinefs.  We  had  a  labori- 
ous time  amorigft  them  ;  our  minds  were 
clofely  exercifed,  and  I  believe  it  was  a  time 
of  great  fearching  of  heart :  the  longer  I  was 
on  the  ifland,  the  more  I  became  feniible 
that  there  was  a  coniiderable  number  of  va- 
luable friends  there,  though  an  evil  fpirit, 
tending  to  ftrife,  had  been  at  v/ork  amongft 
them  :  I  was  cautious  of  making  any  vifits, 
but  as  my  mind  was  particularly  drawn  to 
them ;  and  in  that  way  we  had  fome  fittings 
in  friends  houfes,  where  the  heavenly  wing 
was,  at  times,  fpread  over  us,  to  our  liiutu- 
al  comfort. 

•  My  beloved  companion  had  very  accepta- 
ble fervice  oh  this  ifland. 

When  meeting  was  over^  we  all  agreed  to 
fail  ,  the  next  day^  if  the  weather  was  fiiit- 
abld  and  we  well;  and  being  called  up  the 
Iktter  part  of  the  nighty  we  went  on  board  a, 
Veffel,  being  in  all  about  fifty  ;  but  the  vv-ind 
changing,  the  feamen  thought  beft  to  ftay  in 
the  harbour  till  it  altered ;  fo  we  returned  on 
Ihore  :  and  fetling  clear  as  to  any  further  vi- 
fits,  I  fpent  my  time  in  our  chamber  chiefly 

K  alone  I 


yS6     The  life  and  TRAVELS 

alone;  and  after  fome  hours,  my  heart. be^~ 
ing  filled  with  the  fphit  of  fupplication,  my; 
prayers  and  tears  were  poured  out  before 
my  heavenly  Father,  for  his  help  and  in- 
ftrudlion  in  the  manifold  difficulties  which 
attended  me  in  life :  and  while  I  was  wait- 
ing upon  the  Lord,  there  came  a  meiTenger 
from  the  women  friends,  who  lodged  at  ano- 
ther houfe,  defiring  to  confer  with  us  about 
appointing  a  meeting,  which  to  me  appeared 
weighty,  as  we  had  been  at  fo  many  before ; 
but  after  a  ihort  conference,  and  advifing 
with  fome  elderly  friends,  a  meeting  was 
appointed,  in  which  the  friend,  who  firft 
moved  it,  and  who  had  been  much  fliut  up 
before,  was  largely  opened  in  the  love  of  the 
gofpel :  and  the  next  morning,  about  break 
of  day,  going  again  on  board  the  veffel,  we 
peached  Falmouth  on  the  Main  before  night ; 
where  our  horfes  being  brought,  we  pro- 
ceeded toward  Sandwich  quarterly-meeting. 

Being  two  days  in  going  to  Nantucket^ 
and  having  been  there  once  before,  I  obferved 
many  fhoals  in  their  bay,  which  make  fail- 
ing more  dangerous,  efpeciaily  in  ftormy 
nights  ;  alfo,  that  a  great  Ihoal,  v/hich  en- 
clofes  their  harbour,  prevents  their  going 
in  with  {loops,  except  when  the  tide  is 
up ;  waiting  without  which,  for  the  rifing 
of  the  tide,  is  fometimes  hazardous  in  florms : 
waiting  within,  they  fometimes  mifs  a  fair 
wind.  I  took  notice,  that  on  that  fmall 
iiland  was  a  great  number  of  inhabitants,: 
and  the  foil  not  very  fertile  j  the  timber  fb 

gone, 


o  J'-  JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  t^i 


gone,  that  for  vefTels,  fences,  and  firewood^ 
they  depend  chiefly  on  the  buying  from 
the  Main  ;  the  coft  whereof,  with  mofl  of 
their  other  expences,  they  depend  principally 
upon  the  whale  fifliery  to  anfwer.  I  confi- 
dered,  that  as  towns  grew  larger,  and  lands 
near  navigable  waters  more  cleared,  timber 
and  wood  would  require  more  labour  to  get 
it :  I  underftood  that  the  whales  being  much 
hunted,  and  fometimes  wounded  and  not 
killed,  grew  more  fhy  and  difRcult  to  come 
at :  I  confidered  that  the  formation  of  the 
earth,  the  feas,  the  iflands,  bays  and  rivers, 
the  motions  of  the  winds  and  great  waters, 
which  caufe  bars  and  flioals  in  particular 
places^  were  all  the  works  of  Him  who  is 
perfe6l  wifdom  and  goodnefs ;  and  as  people 
attend  to  his  heavenly  inftrudlion,  and  put 
*  their  trufl  in  him,  he  provides  for  them  in 
all  parts,  where  he  gives  them  a  being.  And 
as  in  this  vilit  to  thefe  people,  I  felt  a  ftrong 
defire  for  their  lirm  eftablifliment  on  the  fure 
foundation ;  befides  what  w^as  faid  more  pub- 
lickly,  I  was  concerned  to  fpeak  with  the 
women  friends,  in  their  monthly-meeting  of 
bulinefs,  many  being  prefent ;  and  in  the 
frelh  fpring  of  pure  love,  to  open  before 
them  the  advantage,  both  inward  and  out- 
Ward,  of  attending  fingly  to  the  pure  guid- 
ance of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  therein  to  edu- 
cate their  children  in  true  humility,  and  the 
difufe  of  all  fiiperfluities,  reminding  them 
of  the  difficulties  their  hufbands  and  fons  were 
frequently  expofed  to  at  fea ;  and  that  the  more 

K  2  plain 


132   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


plain  and  fimple  their  way  of  living  wa$^ 
the  lefs  need  of  running  great  hazards  to 
fupport  them  in  it ;  encouraging  the  young 
women  in  their  neat  decent  way  of  attending 
themfelves  on  the  affairs  of  the  houfe ;  fliew-  ^ 
ing,  as  the  way  opened^  that  where  people 
were  truly  humble,  ufed  themfelves  to  bufi- 
nefs,  and  were  content  with  a  plain  way  of 
life,  that  it  had  ever  been  attended  with  more 
true  peace  and  calmnefs  of  mind,  than  they 
have  had  who,  afpiring  to  greatnefs  and  out-* 
ward  fliew,  have  grafped  hard  for  an  income 
to  fupport  themfelves  in  it :  and  as  I  ob- 
ferved,  they  had  few  or  no  flaves  amongft 
them,  I  had  to  encourage  them  to  be  content 
without  them  ;  making  mention  of  the  nu- 
merous troubles  and  vexations,  which  fre- 
quently attend  the  minds  of  people,  who  de- 
pend on  flaves  to  do  their  labour. 

We  attended  the  quarterly-meeting  at 
Sandwich,  in  company  with  Ann  Gaunt 
and  Mercy  Redman,  which  was  preceeded 
by  a  monthly-meeting  ;  and  in  the  whole 
held  three  days :  we  were  various  ways  exer- 
cifed  amongft  them,  in  gofpel  love,  accord- 
ing to  the  feveral  gifts  beftowed  on  ns  ; 
and  v/ere,  at  times,  overfhadowed  with  the 
virtue  of  truth,  to  the  comfort  of  the  fincere, 
and  ftirring  up  of  the  negligent.  Here  wc 
parted 'with  Ann  and  Mercy,  and  went  to 
Rhode-Ifland,  taking  one  meeting  in  our 
way,  which  was  a  fatisfa6lory  time  j  and 
reaching  Ne\vport  the  evening  before  their 
quarterly-meeting,  we  attended  it  j  and  after 


or    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  133 


that,  had  a  meeting  with  our  young  people, 
ieparated  from  thofe  of  other  focieties.  We 
went  thro'  much  laboiu*  in  this  town ;  and 
now,  in  taking  leave  of  it,  though  I  felt  clofe 
inward  exercife  to  the  laft,  I  found  inward 
peace  ;  and  was,  in  fome  degree  comforted^ 
in  a  belief,  that  a  good  number  remain 
in  that  place,  who  retain  a  fenfe  of  truth ; 
and  that  there  are  fome  young  people  at- 
tentive to  the  voice  of  the  heavenly  Shep- 
herd. The  laft  meeting,  in  which  friends 
from  the  feveral  parts  of  the  quarter  came 
together,  was  a  fele6l  meeting ;  and  through 
the  renewed  manifeftation  of  the  Father'3 
love,  the  hearts  of  the  lincere  were  united  to-* 
|;ether, 

That  poverty  of  fpirit  and  inward  weak-^ 
nefs,  with  which  I  was  much  tried  the  fore 
p^rt  of  this  journey,  has  of  late  appeared  to 
me  as  a  difpenfation  of  kindnefs,  Appoint- 
ing meetings,  never  appeared  more  weighty 
to  me  ;  and  I  was  led  into  a  deep  fearch, 
whether  in  all  things  my  mind  v/as  refigned 
to  tne  will  of  God ;  often  querying  with  my-^ 
felf,  v/hat  fhould  be  the  caufe  of  fuch  inwarci 
poverty ;  and  greatly  delired,  that  no  fecret 
referve  in  my  heart  might  hinder  my  accefs 
to  the  divine  fountain.  In  thefe  humbling 
times  I  was  made  watchful,  and  excited  to 
attend  the  fecret  movings  of  the  heavenly 
principle  in  my  mind,  which  prepared  the 
way  to  fome  duties,  that  in  more  eafy  and 

frofperous  times  as  to  the  outward,  I  believe 
Ihould  have  been  in  danger  of  omitting. 

Frocrv 


134    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

From  Newport  we  went  to  Greenwich, 
jShanticut,  and  Warwick;  and  were  helped 
to  labour  amongil  friends  in  the  love  of  our 
gracious  Redeemer:  and  then,  accompanied 
by  our  friend  John  Cafey  from  Newport,  we 
rode  through  Conneclicut  to  Oblong,  vifited 
the  meetings  of  friends  in  thofe  parts,  and 
thence  proceeded  to  the  quarterly-meeting  at 
Ryewoods  ;  and,  thro'  the  gracious  extend- 
ings  of  divine  help,  had  fome  feafoning  op- 
portunities in  thofe  places :  fo  w  e  vilited  friends 
at  New-York  and  Flufliing  ;  and  thence  to 
Rahaway  :  and  here  our  roads  parting,  I 
took  leave  of  my  beloved  companion  and  true 
yoke-mate  Samuel  Eaftburn  ;  and  reached 
home  on  the  tenth  day  of  the  eighth  month, 
1760,  where  I  found  my  family  well:  and 
for  the  favours  and  protection  of  the  Lord, 
l|^oth  inward  and  outward,  extended  to  me 
;n  thi^  jqurney,  my  heart  is  humbled  in 
grateful  acknowledgements  ;  and  find  re- 
newed defires  to  dwell  and  walk  in  refigned-^ 
p.efs  before  him, 


C  H  A  f. 


0F    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  1J5 


C  H  ,A  P.  VIIL 

His  ^ifits  to  Pennfyl'vania^  Shreivsbury  ami 
SqiiaU' — 'His  publifJomg  the  fecond part  of  his 
conftdcratlons  on  heaping  negroes  —  (The 
grounds  of  his  appearing  in  fome  refpeBs 
fngtdar  in  his  drefsy—  His  viftting  the  fa^ 
rallies  of  friends  of  Aneoeas  and  Mount-Holly 
niee tings  His  %nfits  to  the  Indians  tit  TVe-^ 
halooftng  on  the  river  Sifquehannah\ 

HAVING  felt  my  mind  drawn  toward  k 
vilit  to  a  few  meetings  in  Pennfylva- 
ilia,  I  was  very  deiirous  to  be  rightly  in- 
ftrudled  as  to  the  time  of  fetting  off:  and  on 
the  tenth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1 761,  be- 
ing the  firft  day  of  the  week,  I  went  to  Had- 
donfield  meeting,  conckiding  to  feelc  for  hea- 
venly inftrudlion,  and  come  home  or  go  on, 
as  I  might  then  believe  beft  for  me ;  and  there, 
thro'  the  fpringing  up  of  pure  love,  I  felt  en- 
couragement, and  fo  croffed  the  riv^r.  In  this 
vifit  I  was  at  tv/o  quarterly  and  three  monthly- 
meetings  ;  and,  in  the  love  of  truth,  felt  my 
\va.y  open  to  labour  with  fome  noted  friends, 
v/ho  kept  negroes  :  and  as  I  was  favoured  to 
keep  to  the  root,  and  endeavoured  to  dil- 
charge  what  I  believed  Vv^as  required  of  itie, 
I  found  inward  peace  therein,  from  time  to 
time  ;  and  thankful nefs  of  heart  to  the  Lord, 
who  was  gracioufly  pleafed  to  be  a  guide  ta 
me. 


136   The  life  and  TRAVELS 

In  the  eighth  month,  having  fek 
drawings  in  my  mind  to  vifit  friends  in  and 
about  Shrewfbury  ;  I  went  there,  and  was 
at  thpir  monthly-meeting,  and  their  firfl-day 
meeting;  and  had  a  meeting  at  Squan,  and 
another  at  Squankum  ;  and,  as  way  oper^ed^ 
had  converfation  with  feme  noted  friends 
concerning  their  llaves  :  and  I  returned  home 
in  a  thankful  fei^fe  of  the  goodn^fs  of  the 
Lord.'  ■  -       ^  •    - 

From  the  care  I  felt  growing  in  me  fome 
years,  I  wrote  Confiderations  on  keeping 
Negroes,  part  the  fecond  ;  which  was  print- 
ed this  year,  1762.  When  the  overfeers  of 
the  prefs  had  done  with  it,  they  offered  to 
get  a  number  printed  to  he  paid  for,  out  of 
the  yearly'-meeting  flock,  and  to  be  given 
away ;  but  I  being  moii  eafy  to  pubhfh  them 
at  my  own  expeuce,  and  offering  my  reafons 
they  appeared  fatisfied. 

This  ftock  is  the  contribution  of  the  meni* 
bers  of  our  religious  fociety  in  general ; 
amongfh  whom  are  fome  who  keep  negroes, 
and  being  inclined  to  continue  them  in  fla^ 
very,  are  not  likely  to  be  fatisfied  with  thofe 
books  being  fpread  amongft  a  *  people  where 
many  of  the  flaves  are  taught  to  read,  and 
efpecially  not  at  their  ex;pence ;  and  fuch,  of- 
ten receiving  them  as  a  gift,  conceal  them  : 
But  as  they  who  make  a  purchafe^  generally 
buy  that  which  they  have  a  mind  for,  I  be- 
lieved it  beft  to  fell  them ;  expedling,  by  that 
means,  they  would  more  generally  be  read 
with  attcntioUo  Advertifements  being  figned 

by 


OF   JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  137 


by  order  of  the  overfeers  of  the  prefs^  di- 
reified  to  be  read  in  monthly-meetings  of  bu- 
finefs  within  our  own  yearly-meeting,  in- 
forming where  the  books  were,  and  that  the 
price  was  no  more  than  the  coft  of  printing 
and  binding  them  ;  many  were  taken  off  iii 
our  parts  ;  fome  I  feat  to  Virginia,  fome  to 
New- York,  and  fome  to  Newport,  to  my  ac- 
quaintance there  ;  and  fome  I  kept,  expect- 
ing to  give  part  of  them  away,  where  there 
appeared  a  profpecl  of  fervice. 

In  my  youth  I  was  ufed  to  hard  labour  ; 
and  though  I  was  middling  healthy,  yet  my 
nature  was  not  fitted  to  endure  fb  much  as 
many  others  :  that  being  often  weary,  I  was 
prepared  to  fympathize  with  thofe  whofe  cir-* 
cumftances  in  life,  as  free  men,  required  con- 
ilant  labour  to  anfwer  the  demands  of  their 
i:reditors  ;  and  with  others  under  oppreffion. 
In  the  uneafinefs  of  body,  which  I  have  ma-^ 
ny  times  felt  by  too  much  labour,  not  as  a 
forced  but  a  voluntary  oppreffion,  I  have  of-* 
jten  been  excited  to  think  on  the  original 
jcaufe  of  that  opprefiion,  which  is  impofed  on 
many  in  the  world  :  and  the  latter  part  of 
the  time  wherein  I  laboured  on  our  planta- 
tion, my  heart,  through  the  frefli  vifitations 
of  heavenly  love,  being  often  tender  ;  and 
my  leifure  time  frequently  fpent  in  reading 
the  life  and  dodlrines  of  our  blelTed  Redeem- 
er, the  account  of  the  fufFerings  of  martyrs^ 
and  the  hiftory  of  the  firft  rife  of  our  fociety : 
a  belief  was  gradually  fettled  in  my  mind, 
th^t  if  fuch  yvho  had  great  eftates,  generally 

lived 


138  The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

lived  in  that  humility  and  plainnefs  which 
belongs  to  a  chriftian  life,  and  laid  much 
eafier  rents  and  interefts  on  their  lands  and 
monies,  and  thus  led  the  way  to  a  right  ufe 
of  things,  fo  great  a  number  of  people  might 
be  employed  in  things  ufeful,  that  labour 
both  for  men  and  other  creatures  would  need 
to  be  no  more  than  an  agreeable  employ; 
and  divers  branches  of  buiinefs,  which  ferve 
chiefly  to  pleafe  the  natural  inclinations  of 
our  minds,  and  which,  at  prefent,  feems  ne- 
ceffary  to  circulate  that  wealth  which  fbme 
gather,  might,  in  this  way  of  pure  wifdom, 
be  difcontinued.  And  as  I  have  thus  confider- 
cd  thefe  things,  a  query,  at  times,  hath  arifen  : 
Do  I,  in  all  my  proceedings,  keep  to  that 
ufe  of  things  which  is  agreeable  to  univerfal 
righteoufnefs  ?  And  then  there  hath  fome  de- 
gree of  fadnefs,  at  times,  come  over  me ;  for 
that  I  q.ccuftomed  myfelf  to  fome  things, 
which  occafioned  more  labour  than  I  believe 
divine  wifdom  intends  for  us. 

From  roy  early  acquaintance  with  truth, 
I  have  often  felt  an  inward  diftrefs,  occafion- 
ed by  the  driving  of  a  fpirit  in  me,  againfl 
the  operation  of  the  heavenly  principle  ;  and 
in  this  circumftance  have  been  affedled  with 
a  fenfe  of  my  own  wretchednefs,  and  in  a 
mourning  condition  felt  earneft  longing  for 
that  divine  help,  whicK  brings  the  foul  into 
true  liberty  ;  and  fometimes  in  this  (late,  re- 
tiring into  private  places,  the  fpirit  of  fup- 
plication  hath  been  given  me  ;  and  under  a 
heavenly  covering,  have  afked  my  gracious 

fathei-, 


or    JOHN    WOOLMAN.  139 

Father,  to  give  me  a  heart  in  all  things  re- 
figned  to  the  dire(!?l:ion  of  his  wifdom,  and  in 
uttering  language  like  this,  the  thoughts  of 
my  wearing  hats  and  garments  dyed  with  a 
dye  hurtful  to  them,  has  made  lafting  im-* 
preiTions  on  me. 

In  viliting  people  of  note  in  the  focieiy 
Vv-^ho  had  flaves,  and  labouring  with  them  in 
brotherly  love  on  that  account,  I  have  feen, 
and  the  fight  has  affefted  me,  that  a  con-- 
formity  to  fome  cuftoms,  diflinguifhable 
from  pure  wifdom,  has  entangled  many ; 
and  the  defire  of  gain  to  fupport  thefe  cul^ 
toms,  greatly  oppofed  the  work  of  truth:  and 
fometimes  when  the  profpedl  of  the  w^ork 
before  me  lias  been  fuch,  that  in  bov/edneft 
of  fpirit,  I  have  been  drawn  into  retired 
places,  and  befought  the  Lord  with  tears 
that  he  would  take  me  wholly  under  his  di- 
rection, and  fhew  me  the  way  in  which  I 
ought  to  w^alk ;  it  hath  revived  with  ftrength 
of  convid:ion,  that  if  I  would  be  his  faith- 
ful fervant,  I  muft  in  all  things  attend  to  his 
wifdom,  and  be  teachable ;  and  fo  ceafe  from 
all  cuftoms  contrary  thereto,  however  ufed 
amongft  religious  people. 

As  he  is  the  perfection  of  power,  of 
dom,  and  of  goodnefs ;  fo  I  believe,  he  hatli 
provided,  that  fo  much  labour  fliall  be  ne- 
ceiTary  for  men's  fuj/port,  in  this  world,  as 
v>rould,  being  rightly  divided,  be  a  fliitable 
employment  of  their  time ;  and  that  we  can-» 
not  go  into  fuperfluities,  or  grafp  after  weaitlx 
in  a  way  contrary  to  his  wiidom,  without 

havins: 


140    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


having  connecfUon  with  fome  degree  of  op-i 
preffion,  and  with  that  fpirit  which  leads  to 
felf-exahation  and  ftrife,  and  which  fre- 
quently brings  calamities  on  countries,  by 
parties  contending  about  their  claims. 
r  Being  thvis  fully  convinced,  and  feeling  an 
increafing  defire  to  live  in  the  fpirit  of  peace  ; 
being  often  forrowfully  affedled  with  the 
thinking  on  the  unquiet  fpirit  in  which  wars 
are  generally  carried  on,  and  with  the  mife- 
ries  of  many  of  my  fellow-creatures  engaged 
therein  ;  fome  fuddenly  deftroyed ;  fome 
wounded,  and  after  much  pain  remain  crip- 
ples ;  fome  deprived  of  all  their  outward  fub- 
ftance,  and  reduced  to  want ;  and  fome  car- 
ried into  captivity.  Thinking  often  on  thefe 
things,  the  ufe  of  hats  and  garments  dyed 
with  a  dye  hurtful  to  them,  and  wearing  more 
cloaths  in  fummer  than  are  ufeful,  grew 
more  uncafy  to  me  ;  believing  them  to  be 
cuftoms  which  have  not  their  foundation  in 
pure  wifdom.  The  apprehenfion  of  being 
lingular  from  my  beloved  friends,  was  a  ftrait 
upon  me  ;  and  thus  I  remained  in  the  ufe  of 
fome  things  contrary  to  my  judgment.  J} 
/  On  the  thirty-firft  day  of  the  fifth  month, 
(  1 76 1,  I  was  taken  ill  of  a  fever;  and,  after 
having  it  near  a  w^eek,  I  was  in  great  diftrefs 
of  body  :  and  one  day  there  was  a  cry  rail^ 
cd  in  me,  that  I  might  underftand  the  caufe 
tvhy  I  was  afflidled,  and  improve  under  it : 
and  my  conformity  to  fome  cuftoms,  which 
I  believed  were  not  right,  were  brought  to 
mj  remembrance  j  and  in  the  continuation 


or    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  14? 


of  the  exercife,  I  felt  all  the  powers  in  me 
yield  themfelves  up  into  the  hands  of  Him 
who  gave  me  being;  and  was  made  thank- 
ful, that  he  had  taken  hold  of  me  by  his^ 
chaftifement :  feeling  the  necelTity  of  further 
purifying,  there  was  now  no  defire  in  me 
for  health,  until  the  deiign  of  my  corre<flioii 
was  anfwered  ;  and  thus  I  lay  in  abafement 
and  brokennefs  of  fpirit,  and  as  I  felt  a  fink- 
ing down  into  a  calm  refignation,  fo  I  felt, 
as  in  an  inftant,  an  inward  healing  in  my 
nature  ;  and  from  that  time  forward  I  grew  ) 
better.^ 

^Though  I  was  thus  fettled  in  mind  in  re-  ) 
lation  to  hurtful  dyes,  I  felt  eafy  to  wear  my 
garments  heretofore  made  ;  and  fo  continued 
about  nine  months.  Then  I  thought  of  get- 
tiug  a  hat  the  natural  colour  of  the  furr ;  but 
the  apprehenfion  of  being  looked  upon  as  one 
affecting  fingularity,  felt  uneafy  to  me  :  and 
here  I  had  occafion  to  confider,  that  things, 
though  fmall  in  themfelves,  being  clearly 
enjoined  by  divine  authority,  became  great 
things  to  us ;  and  I  trufted  that  the  Lord 
would  fupport  me  in  the  trials  that  might 
attend  fingularity,  while  that  fingularity  was 
only  for  his  fake  :  on  this  account,  I  was 
under  clofe  exercife  of  mind  in  the  time  of 
Qur  General  fpring  meeting  1762,  greatly 
defiring  to  be  rightly  directed  ;  when  being 
deeply  bowed  in  fpirit  before  the  Lord,  I  was 
made  willing  to  fubmit  to  what  I  appre- 
hended was  required  of  me ;  and  when  I 

returned 


l^i   The  life  and  TRAVELS 

returned  home,  got  a  hat  of  the  natural  eo^ 
lour  of  the  furr.  "J 

^  In  attending  "^meetings,  this  fingularity 
was  a  trial  upon  me,  and  more  efpecially  at 
this  time,  white  hats  being  ufed  by  fome 
who  were  fond  of  following  the  changeable 
modes  of  drefs  ;  and  as  fome  friends,  who 
knew  not  on  what  motives  I  v/ore  it,  carried 
fhy  of  me,  I  felt  my  way  for  a  time  fliut  up 
in  the  exercife  of  the  miniftry :  and  in  this 
condition,  my  mind  being  turned  toward  my 

•  heavenly  Father,  with  fervent  cries  that  \ 
might  be  preferved  to  walk  before  him  in  the 
meeknefs  of  wifdom,  my  heart  was  often 
tender  in  meetings  ;  and  I  felt  an  inward 
confolation,  which  to  me  was  very  precious 

^  under  thofe  difficulties.  ) 

had  feveral  dyed  garments  fit  for  ufe,  which 
I  believed  it  befl  to  wear,  till  I  had  occafion  of 
new  ones  :  and  fome  friends  were  apprehen- 
five,  that  my  wearing  fuch  a  hat  favoured  of 
an  afFedled  fingularity :  and  fuch  who  fpake 
with  me  in  a  friendly  way,  I  generally  in- 
formed in  a  few  words,  that  I  believed  my 
wearing  it,  was  not  in  my  own  will.  I  had, 
at  times,  been  fenfible,  that  a  fuperficial 
friendlhip  had  been  dangerous  to  me ;  and 
many  friends  being  now  uneafy  with  me, 
I  had  an  inclination  to  acquaint  fome  with 
the  manner  of  my  being  led  into  thefe  things  ; 
yet,*  upon  a  deeper  thought,  I  was  for  a  time 
moft  eafy  to  omit  it,  believing  the  prefent 
difpenfation  was  profitable;  and  trufting,  that 


of    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  143 

if  I  kept  my  place,  the  Lord  in  his  own 
time  would  open  the  hearts  of  friends  to- 
ward me  :  lince  which,  I  have  had  caufe  to 
admire  his  goodnefs  and  loving-kindnefs,  ia 
leading  about  and  inftrudling,  and  opening 
and  enlarging  my  heart  in  fome  of  our 
meetings.^ 

In  the  eleventh  month  of  the  year  1762, 
feeling  an  engagement  of  mind  to  vifit  Ibme 
families  in  Mansfield  :  I  joined  my  beloved 
friend  Benja.min  Jones,  and  we  fpent  a  few 
days  together  in  that  fervice*  In  the  fecon<l- 
month  1763,  I  joined  in  company  with  Eli- 
zabeth Smith  and  Mary  Noble,  on  a  vilit  to 
the  families  of  friends  at  Ancocas  ;  in  both 
which  vifits,  through  the  baptizing  power 
of  truth,  the  lincere  labourers  were  often 
comforted,  and  the  hearts  of  friends  opened 
to  receive  us.  And  in  the  fourth  month  fol- 
lov/ing,  I  accompanied  fome  friends  in  a  vi-- 
fit  to  the  families  of  friends  in  Mount- 
Holly  ;  in  which  my  mind  was  often  drawn- 
into  an  inward  av^fulnefs,  wherein  ftrong 
defires  were  raifed  for  the  everlafting  \vcAx?».tc 
of  my  fellovv^-creatures  ;  and,  through  the 
k^ndnefs  of  our  heavenly  Father,  our  hearts^ 
were,  at  times,  enlarged,  and  friends  invited 
in  the  flo wings  of  divine  love  to  attend  to 
that  which  v/ould  fettle  them  oa  the  faro 
foundation* 

Having  many  years  felt  love  in  my  heart: 
toward  the  na^tives  of  this  land,  who  cl<vell  far 
back  in  the  wildernefs,  whofe  anceftors  were- 
the  owners  and  pofTeffijrs  qf  the  land  where 

we 


t44   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

we  dwell  ;  and  who,  for  a  very  fmall  cor^ 
deration,  affigned  their  inheritance  t6  us  i 
sind  being  at  Philadelphia  in  the  eighth 
month,  1 76 1,  on  a  vifit  to  fome  friends  who 
had  fiaves,  I  fell  in  company  with  fome  of 
thofe  natives  who  lived  on  the  eaft  branch  of 
the  river  Sufquehannah,  at  an  Indian  town 
called  Wehaloofing,  two  hundred  miles  from 
Philadelphia ;  and  in  converfation  with  them 
by  an  interpreter,  as  aifo  by  obfervations  on. 
their  countenances  and  condudl,  I  believed 
fome  of  them  were  meafurably  acquainted 
with  that  divine  power  which  fubjecls  thd 
rough  and  froward  will  of  the  creature: 
and,  at  times,  I  felt  inward  drawings  to-^ 
ward  a  vifit  to  that  place  of  which  I  told 
none  except  my  dear  wife,  until  it  came  to 
fome  ripenefs,  and  then  in  the  winter^  1762^ 
I  laid  it  before  friends  at  our  monthly  and 
quarterly,  and  afterwards  at  our  General  fpriilg 
meeting  ;  and  having  the  unity  of  friends^ 
and  being  thoughtful  about  an  Indian  pilot, 
there  came  a  man  and  three  women  from  k 
little  beyond  that  town  to  Philadelphia  oii 
bufinefs  :  and  I  being  informed  thereof  by 
letter,  met  them  in  town  in  the  fifth  months 
1763  ;  and  after  fome  converfation,  finding; 
they  were  fober  people,  I,  by  the  concurrence 
of  friends  in  that  place,  agreed  to  join  Vvrith 
them  as  companions  in  their  retvirn ;  and  on 
the  feventh  day  of  the  fixth  month  follow- 
ing, we  .appointed  to  meet  at  Samuel  Foulk's^ 
Richland  in  Bucks  county.  Now  as  this 
rifit  felt  weighty,  and  was  performed  at  i 
'  ^  time 


DP  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  141 


time  when  tf avelling  appeared  perilous,  fo 
the  difpenfations  of  Divine  Providence,  iix 
preparing  my  mind  for  it,  have  been  memo- 
rable ;  and  I  believe  it  good  for  me  to  give 
fome  hints  thereof. 

After  I  had  given  up  to  go,  the  thoughts 
of  the  journey  were  often  attended  with  un^ 
vifual  fadnefs ;  in  which  times,  my  heart  was 
frequently  turned  to  the  Lord  with  inward 
breathings  for  his  heavenly  fupport,  that  % 
might  not  fail  to  follow  him  wherefoever  he 
might  lead  me  :  and  being  at  our  youth's 
meeting  at  Chefterfield,  about  a  week  before 
the  time  I  expecfted  to  fet  off,  was  there  led 
to  fpeak  on  that  prayer  of  our  Redeemer  to 
his  Father:      I  pray  not  that  thou  fhouldefi: 
take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  thou 
Ihouldeft  keep  them  from  the  evil/''  And  iii 
attending  to  the  pure  openings  of  truth,  had 
to  mention  what  He  elfewhere  faid  to  his 
Father;     I  know  that  thou  hearerc  me  at  all 
times:'*  fo  that,  as  fome  of  his  followers 
kept  their  places,  and  as  his  prayer  was 
granted,   it  followed  neceJTarily  that  they 
were  kept  from  evil :  and  as  fome  of  thole 
met  with  great  hardfhips  and  afflidlions  in 
this  world,  and  at  laft  fuffered  death  by  cruel 
men ;   it  appears,  that  whatfoever  befalls 
men  while  they  live  in  pure  obedience  to 
Gk)d,  as  it  certainly  works  for  their  good,  fo 
it  may  not  be  confidered  an  evil  as  it  relates 
to  them.    As  I  fpake  on  this  fubjed:^  my 
heart  was  much  tendered,  and  great  awful- 
ftefs  came  over  me;  and.  then,  on  the  firft 

Ja  day 


146    The  life  ard  TRAVELS 

day  of  the  next  week,  being  at  our  own  af- 
ternoon meeting,  and  my  heart  being  en- 
larged in  love,  I  was  led  to  fpeak  on  the  care 
and  protecflion  of  the  Lord  over  his  people, 
and  to  make  mention  of  that  pafTage  where 
a  band  of  Allyrians  endeavouring  to  take 
captive  the  prophet  were  difappointed ;  and 
how  the  pfalmill  faid,       the  angel  of  the 
Lord  encampeth  round  about  them  that 
fear  him/'    And  thus,  in  true  love  and 
tendernefs,  I  parted  from  friends,  expe(fting 
tlie  next  morning  to  proceed  on  my  journey  ; 
and  being  weary,  went  early  to  bed  :  and 
after  I  had  been  alleep  a  Ihort  time,  I  was 
awaked  by  a  man  calling  at  my  door;  and 
ariling,  was  invited  to  meet  fome  friends  at 
a  publick-houfe  in  our  town,  who  came  from 
Philadelphia  fo  late,  that  friends  were  gene- 
rally gone  to  bed  :  thefe  friends  informed 
me,  that  an  exprefs  arrived  the  laft  morning 
from  Pittfburgh,  and  brought  news  that  the 
Indians  had  taken  a  fort  from  the  Englifh  weft- 
ward,  and  flain  and  fcalped  Englilh  people  in 
divers  places,  fome  near  the  faid  Pittfburgh; 
and  that  fome  elderly  friends  in  Philadel- 
phia, knowing  the  time  of  my  expe6ling  to 
let  off,  had  conferred  together,  and  thought 
good  to  inform  me  of  tliefe  things,  before  I 
left  home,  that  I  might  confider  them^  and 
proceed  as  I  believed  beft  ;  fo  I,  going  again 
to  bed,  told  not  my  wife  till  morning.  My 
heart  was  turned  to  the  Lord  for  his  heaven- 
ly inftrudion ;  and  it  was  an  humbling  time 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  147 


to  me,  When  I  told  my  dear  wife,  fhe  ap- 
peared to  be  deeply  concerned  about  it ;  but 
in  a  few  hours  time,  my  mind  became  fet- 
tled in  a  belief,  that  it  w^s  my  duty  to  pro- 
ceed on  my  journey  ;  and  fhe  bore  it  with  a 
good  degree  of  refignation.  In  this  conflidl  of 
fpirit,  there  were  great  fearchings  of  heart, 
and  ftrong  cries  to  the  Lord,  that  no  motion 
might  be  in  the  lead  degree  attended  to,  but 
that  of  the  pure  fpirit  of  truth. 

The  fubje6ls  before-mentioned,  on  which 
I  had  fo  lately  fpoke  in  publick,  were  now 
very  frefli  before  me ;  and  I  was  brought  in- 
wardly to  commit  myfelf  to  the  Lord,  to 
be  difpofed  of  as  he  faw  beft.  So  I  took 
leave  of  my  family  and  neighbours,  in  much, 
bowednefs  of  fpirit,  and  went  to  our  month- 
ly-meeting at  Burlington ;  and  after  taking 
leave  of  friends  there,  I  crolTed  the  river,  ac- 
companied by  my  friends  Ifrael  and  John 
Pembcrton ;  and  parting  the  next  morning 
with  Ifrael,  John  bore  me  company  to  Sa- 
muel Foulk's  ;  where  I  met  the  before-men- 
tioned Indians,  and  we  were  glad  to  fee  each 
other:  here  my  friend  Benjamin  Parvin  met 
me,  and  propofed  joining „  as  a  companion, 
we  having  paffed  fome  letters  before  on  the 
fubjedl ;  and  novv^  on  his  account  I  had  a 
fharp  trial;  for  as  the  journey  appeared  peri- 
lous, I  thought  if  he  went  chiefly  to  bear 
me  company,  and  we  fliould  be  taken  cap- 
tive, my  having  been  the  means  of  draw- 
ing him  into  thefe  difficulties,  would  add  to 
my  own  afHidions  :  fo  I  told  him  my  mind 

L  2  freely. 


148    The  LIFE  TRAVELS 

fycelj^  and  let  him  know  that  I  was  reilgn- 
ed  to  go  ^lone ;  but  after  all^  if  he  really  be- 
lieved it  t9  be  his  duty  to  go  on,  I  believed 
his  company  Avould  be  very  comfortable  to 
me  :  it  was  indeed  a  time  of  deep  exercife, 
and  Benjamin  appeared  to  be  fo  faftened  to 
the  vifit,  that  he  could  not  be  eafy  to  leave 
me  ;  fo  we  went  on,  accompanied  by  our 
friends  John  Pemberton,  and  William  Light- 
foot  of  Pikeiand,  and  lodged  at  Bethlehem ; 
and  there  parting  with  John_,  V/illiam  and 
we  went  forward  on  the  ninth  day  of  the 
fixth  month,  and  got  lodging  on  the  floor  of 
a  houfe,  about  five  miles  from  Fort- Allen ; 
here  we  parted  with  William :  and  at  this  place 
we  met  with  an  Indian  trader,  lately  come 
from  Wioming ;  and  in  converf ation  with  him, 
I  perceived  that  many  white  people  do  often 
fell  rum  to  the  Indians,  which,  I  believe,  is  a 
great  evil;  firft,  they  being  thereby  deprived 
of  the  ufe  of  their  reafon,  and  their  fpirits  vi- 
olently agitated,  quarrels  often  arife  which 
end  in  mifchief ;  and  the  bitternefs  and  refent- 
ments  occafioned  hereby,  are  frequently  of 
long  continuance :  again,  their  ikins  and 
furrs^  gotten  thro'  much  fatigue  and  hard  tra- 
vels m  Ji  anting,  vAth  v/hich  they  intended 
to  bjLiy,  death  ing^  when  they  become  in- 
toxicated, they  often  leli  at  a  low  rate  for 
more^rmiTi;  and  afterward,  when  they  fufFer 
for  want  of  the  neceiraries  of  life,  are  an- 
gry with  thofe  who,  for  the  fake  of  gain, 
took  the  advantage  of  their  v/eaknefs  :  of 
this  their  chiefs  have  often  complained,  at 

their 


OF  JOHN  YOC)LMAN.  149 

their  treaties  with  the  Englifh.  Where  cun- 
.ning  people  pafs  counterfeits,  and  impofe 
that  on  others  which  is  good  for  nothing,  it 
is  coniidered  as  a  wickednefs  ;  but  to  fell 
that  to  people  which  we  know  does  them 
harm,  and  which  often  works  their  ruin,  for 
the  fake  of  gain,  manifefts  a  hardened  and 
corrupt  heart ;  and  is  an  evil,  which  de- 
mands the  care  of  all  true  lovers  of  virtue 
to  fupprefs  :  and  while  my  mind,  this  even- 
ing, was  thus  employed,  I  ailb  remember- 
ed, that  the  people  on  the  frontiers,  among 
whom  this  evil  is  too  common,  are  often 
poor ;  who  venture  to  the  outfide  of  a  colo- 
ny, that  they  may  live  more  independant  on 
fuch  who  are  wealthy,  who  often  fet  high 
rents  on  their  land  :  being  renewedly  con-  / 
firmed  in  a  belief,  that  if  all  our  inhabi- 
tants lived  according  to  fou.nd  wifdom,  la- 

|]bouring  to  promote  univerfal  love  and  righ- 
teoufnefs,  and  ceafed  from  every  inordinate 
defire  after  wealth,  and  from  all  cufhoma  ^ 
which  are  tindlured  with  luxury,  the  way 
would  be  eafy  for  our  inhabitants,  thouga 
much  more  numerous  than  at  prefent,  to  live 
comfortably  on  honeft  employments,  v/ith-* 
out  having  that  temptation  they  are  often 
under  of  being  drawn  into  fchemes  to  make 

,  fettlements  on  lands  which  have  not  been 
purchafed  of  the  Indians,  or  of  applying  to 
that  wicked  pradlice  of  felling  rum  to  theia. 

On  the  tenth  day  of  the  month  we  fet  out 
early  in  the  morning,  and  crofTed  the  weft- 
QXil  branch  of  Delaware,  called  the  Great 


150    The  LIFE  a^d  TRAVELS 

l^ehie,  near  Fort-Allen ;  the  water  being 
high,  we  went  over  in  a  canoe  :  here  we 
met  an  Indian,  and  had  fbme  friendly  con- 
verfation  with  him,  and  gave  him  fome  bif- 
cuit;  and  he  having  killed  a  deer,  gave  the 
Indians  with  us  fome  of  it :  then  after  tra- 
velhng  fome  miles,  we  met  fevcral  Indian 
men  and  women  with  a  cow  and  horfe,  and 
fome  houlliold  goods,  who  were  lately  come 
from  their  dwelling  at  Wioming,  and  going 
to  fettle  at  another  place;  we  made  them 
fome  fmall  prefmts  ;  and  fome  of  them  un- 
derftanding  Engliili,  I  told  them  my  motive 
in  coming  into  their  country  ;  with  which 
they  appeared  fatisfied  :  and  one  of  our 
guides  talking  a  while  with  an  antient  wo- 
man concerning  us,  the  poor  old  woman 
came  to  my  companion  and  me,  and  took 
her  leave  of  us  with  an  appearance  of  lin- 
cere  affedlion.  So  going  on,  we  pitched  our 
tent  near  the  banks  of  the  fame  river,  hav- 
ing laboured  hard  in  crofTmg  fome  of  thofe 
mountains  called  the  Blue  Ridge  ;  and  by 
the  roughnefs  qf  the  ftones,  and  the  cavi- 
ties between  them,  and  the  fteepnefs  of  the 
hills,  it  appeared  dangerous  :  but  we  were 
preferved  in  fafety,  through  the  kindnefs  of 
Him  whofe  vsrorks  in  thofe  mountainous  de- 
ferts  appeared  awful  ;  toward  whom  my 
heart  was  turned  dviring  this  day's  travel. 

Near  our  tent,  on  the  fides  qf  large  trees 
peeled  for  that  pu.rpofe,  were  various  repre- 
sentations of  men  going  to,  and  returning 
Irom  the  wars^  and  of  fome  killed  in  battle. 

This 


OF   JOHN  WOOL  MAN.  151 


This  being  a  path  heretofore  ufed  by 
warriors  ;  and  as  I  walked  about  viewing 
thofe  Indian  hiflories,  which  were  painted 
moftly  in  red  but  fome  in  black,  and  think- 
ing  on  the  innumerable  afllidtions  which 
the  proud,  fierce  fpirit  produceth  in  the 
world;  thinking  on  the  toils  and  fatigues  of 
warriors,  travelling  over  mountains  and  de-- 
ierts ;  thinking  on  their  miferies  and  dif- 
treifes  when  wounded  far  from  home  hj 
their  enemies  ;  and  of  their  bruifes  and  great 
wearinefs  in  chafing  one  another  over  the 
rocks  and  mountains ;  and  of  their  reftleis, 
unquiet  flate  of  miud,  v/ho  hve  in  this  fpi-^ 
rit ;  and  of  the  hatred  which  mutually  grows 
up  in  the  minds  of  the  children  of  thofe  na- 
tions engaged  in  v/ar  with  each  other :  dur- 
ing thele  meditations,  the  defire  to  cherifli. 
the  fpirit  of  love  and  peace  amongfi:  thefe 
people,  arofe  very  frefli  in  me.  This  was 
the  firfl  night  that  w^e  lodged  in  the  woods ; 
and  being  wet  with  travelling  in  the  rain, 
the  ground,  our  tent,  and  the  buihes  which 
we  purpofed  to  lay  under  our  blankets  alfa 
w^et,  all  looked  dif  couraging ;  but  I  believed^ 
that  it  was  the  Lord  who  had  thus  far 
brought  me  forward,  and  that  he  would 
difpoie  of  me  as  he  faw  good,  and  therein  I 
felt  eafy :  fb  vv^e  kindled  a  fire,  with  our  tent 
open  to  it ;  and  with  fome  buflics  next  the 
ground,  and  then  our  blankets,  v.^e  made 
our  bed  ;  and  lying  down,  got  fome  fleep  : 
and  in  the  raorning,  feeling  a  little  unwell^ 

\  went;- 


t53    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

I  went  into  the  river;  the  water  was  cold, 
but  foon  after  I  felt  frefh  and  well. 

The  eleventh  day  of  the  (ixth  month,  the 
bviflies  being  wet,  we  tarried  in  ovir  tent  till 
^bout  eight  o'clock  ;  when  going  on,  crofTed 
a  high  mountain  fuppofed  to  be  upward  of 
four  miles  over  ;  the  fteepnefs  on  the  north 
Jide  exceeding  all  the  others :  we  alfo  crofled 
two  fwamps  ;  and  it  raining  near  night, 
we  pitched  our  tent  and  lodged. 

-  About  noou,  on  our  way,  we  were  over- 
taken ty  one  of  the  inoravian  brethren,  go- 
ing to  Wehaloofmg,  and  an  Indian  man 
with  him  who  could  talk  Englifh ;  and  we 
being  together  while  our  horfes  eat  grafs,  had 
fome  friendly  converfation  ;  but  they  tra-* 
veiling  fafter  than  we,  foon  left  us.  This 
moravian,  I  underftood,  had  fpent  fome 
time  this  fpring  at  Wehalooiiag  ;  and  was, 
by  fome  of  the  Indians,  invited  to  come 
again. 

The  twelfth  day  of  the  fixth  month,  and 
firfl:  of  the  week,  it  bev^g  a  rainy  day,  we 
continued  in  our  tent ;  and  here  I  was  led  to 
think  on  the  nature  of  the  exercife  which 
hath  attended  me  :  Love  vv^as  the  firft  motion, 
tmd  thence  a  concern  arofe  to  fpend  fome  time 
with  the  Indians,  that  I  might  feel  and  un-^ 
derftand  their  life,  and  the  fpirit  they  live 
in,  if  haply  I  might  receive  fome  inftrudlior). 
from  them,  or  they  be  in  any  degree  helped 
forward  by  my  following  the  leadings  of 
truth  amongftthem:  and  as  it  pleafed  the 
Lord  to  make  way  for  my  going  at  a  time 

wheii 


o  F  J  O  H  N  ^  W  O  O  L  M  A  N.    1 53 


when  tke  troubles  of  war  were  increafing, 
and  when,  'by  I'eafoii  of  much  wet  weather, 
travellmg  was  more  difhcult  than  ufual  at 
that  feafon,  I  looked  upon  it  as  a  more  fa- 
vourable opportunity  to  feafon  my  mind, 
and  bring  me  into  a  nearer  fympathy  with 
them :  and  as  mine  eye  was  to  the  great  Fa- 
ther of  mercies,  humbly  defiring  to  learn 
what  his  will  was  concernixig  ,me,  I  was 
jnade  quiet  and  content. 

Our  guide's  horfe,  though  hoppled,  went 
away  in  the  night ;  and  after  finding  out 
own,  and  fearching  fome  time  for  him,  his 
footfteps  were  difcovered  in  the  path  going 
back  again,  whereupon  my  kind  companion 
went  off  in  the  rain,  and  after  about  feven 
hours  returned  with  him  :  and  here  we 
lodged  again  ;  tying  up  our  horfes  before 
we  went  to  bed,  and  loofing  them  to  feed 
about  break  of  day. 

On  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  fixth  month, 
the  fun  appealing,  we  let  forward ;  and  as  I 
rode  over  the  barren  hills,  my  meditations 
were  on  the  alterations  of  the  circumftances 
of  the  natives  of  this  land  fince  the  coming 
in  of  the  Englifh,  The  lands  near  the  fea, 
are  conveniently  fituated  for  filhing  ;  the 
lands  near  the  rivers,  where  the  tides  flow, 
and  fome  above,  are  in  many  places  fertile, 
and  not  mountainous  ;  while  the  running  of 
the  tides,  makes  palfing  up  and  down  eafy 
with  any  kind  of  traffick.  Thofe  natives 
have,  in  fome  places,  for  trifling  confidera- 
lions,  fold  their  iuheritancq  fo  favourably 

lituated; 


154   The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


fituated;  and  in  otlier  places,  been  driven 
back  by  fuperior  force  :  fo  that,  in  many 
places,  as  their  way  of  cloathing  themfelves 
is  now  altered  from  what  it  was,  and  they, 
far  remote  from  us,  have  to  pafs  over  moun- 
tains, fwamps,  and  barren  defarts,  where 
travelling  is  very  troublefome,  in  bringing 
their  fkins  and  fvirrs  to  trade  with  us. 

By  the  extending  of  Englifli  fettlements, 
and  partly  by  Englifh  hunters,  the  wild 
beafts  they  chiefly  depend  on  for  a  fublifl- 
ance,  are  not  fo  plenty  as  they  were ;  and 
people  too  often,  for  the  fake  of  gain,  open 
a  door  for  them  to  wafte  their  fldns  and 
furrs,  in  purchafing  a  liquor  which  tends  to 
the  ruin  of  them  and  their  families. 

My  own  will  and  defires  being  now  very 
much  broken,  and  my  heart,  with  much 
earneftnefs,  turned  to  the  Lord,  to  whom 
alone  I  looked  for  help  in  the  dangers  before 
me.  I  had  a  profpe6l  of  the  Engiiih  along 
the  coaft,  for  upv/ards  of  nine  hundred 
miles,  where  I  have  travelled ;  and  the  fa- 
vourable fituation  of  the  Englifh,  and  the 
difEculties  attending  the  natives  in  many 
places,  and  the  negroes,  were  open  before 
me;  and  a  weighty  and  heavenly  care  came 
over  my  mind,  and  love  filled  my  heart  to- 
ward all  mankind,  in  which  I  felt  a  fcrong 
engagement,  that  we  might  be  obedient  to 
the  Lord  while,  in  tender  mercies,  he  is  yet 
calling  to  vis  ;  and  fo  attend  to  pure  univer- 
fal  righteoufnefs,  as  to  give  no  juft  caufe  of 
offence  to  the  Gentiles,  who  do  not  profefs 

chriftianity. 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAR  155 


chriftianity,  whether  the  blacks  from  Africa 
or  the  native  inhabitants  of  this  continent: 
and  here  I  was  led  into  a  clofe,  laborious 
enquiry,  whether  I,  as  an  individual,  kept 
clear  from  all  things  which  tended  to  ftir  up, 
or  were  connedled  with  wars,  either  in  this 
land  or  Africa  ;  and  my  heart  was  deeply 
concerned,  that  in  futvire  I  might  ill  all 
things  keep  fteadily  to  the  pure  truth,  and 
live  and  walk  in  the  plainnefs  and  fimplicity 
of  a  fincere  follower  of  Chrift.  And  in  this 
lonely  journey,  I  did,  this  day,  greatly  be^ 
wail  the  fpreading  of  a  wrong  Ipirit,  be^ 
lieving,  that  the  profperous,  convenient  fi-* 
tuation  of  the  Englilh,  requires  a  conftant 
attention  to  divine  love  and  v/ifdom  to  guide 
and  fupport  us  in  a  way  anfwerable  to  the 
will  of  that  good,  gracious,  and  almighty 
Being,  who  hath  an  equal  regard  to  all  man-^ 
kind :  and  here,  luxury  and  covetoufnefs, 
with  the  numerous  oppreffions,  and  other 
evils  attending  them,  appeared  very  afflift- 
ing  to  me  ;  and  I  felt  in  that  which  is  im- 
mutable, that  the  feeds  of  great  calamity 
and  defblation  are  fown  and  growing  faft  on 
this  continent :  nor  have  I  words  fufficient  to 
fet  forth  that  longing  I  then  felt,  that  we, 
who  are  placed'along  the  coafl:,  and  have  tailed 
the  love  and  goodnefs  of  God,  might  arife 
in  his  ftrength;  and,  like  faithful  mefTen- 
gers,  labour  to  check  the  grovsrth  of  thefe 
feeds,  that  they  may  not  ripen  to  the  ruinr 
of  our  pofterity. 

We 


156     The  life  and  TRAVELS 

We  reached  the  Indian  fettlement  at  Wio- 
mmg  :  and  here  we  were  told,  that  an  In- 
dian runner  had  been  at  that  place  a  day  or 
two  before  us,  and  brought  news  of  the  In- 
dians taking  an  Englifla  fort  weftv/ard,  and 
deftroying  the  people,  and  that  they  were 
endeavouring  to  take  another ;  and  alio,  that 
another  Indian  runner  came  there  about  the 
middle  of  the  night  before  we  got  there, 
who  came  from  a  town  about  ten  miles 
above  Wehaloofing,  and  brought  news,  that 
fome  Indian  warriors,  from  diftant  parts^ 
came  to  that  town  with  two  Engliili  fcalps ; 
and  told  the  people,  that  it  vv^as  war  with 
the  Englifh. 

Our  guides  took  us  to  the  houfe  of  a  very 
antient  man ;  and  foon  after  we  had  put  in 
our  baggage,  there  came  a  man  from  ano- 
ther Indian  houfe  fome  diftance  off ;  and  I 
perceiving  there  w^as  a  man  near  the  door, 
went  out ;  and  he  having  a  tomahawk 
wrapped  under  his  matchcoat  out  of  fight, 
as  I  approached  him,  he  took  it  in  his  hand  j 
J,  however,  went  forward,  and  fpeaking  to 
him  in  a  friendly  way  perceived  he  under- 
Hood  fome  Englilh ;  my  companion  then 
coming  out,  we  had  fome  talk  with  him 
concerning  the  nature  of  ovir  vifit  in  thefe 
parts  ;  and  then  he  going  into  the  houfe 
with  us,  and  talking  with  our  guides,  foon 
appeared  friendly,  and  fat  down  and  fmoak- 
.ed  his  pipe.  Tho'  his  taking  his  hatchet  in 
liis  handi  at  the  inftant  I  drew  near  to  him, 

had 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  157 


had  a  difagreeable  appearance,  I  believe  he 
had  no  other  intent  than  to  be  in  readinefs 
in  cafe  any  violence  was  offered  to  him. 

Hearing  the  news  brovight  by  thefe  In- 
dian runners,  and  being  told  by  the  Indians 
where  we  lodged,  that  what  Indians  were 
about  Wioming  expelled,  in  a  few  days,  to 
move  to  fome  larger  towns,  I  thought  that^ 
to  all  outward  appearance,  it  was  dangerous 
travelling  at  this  time  ;  and  was,  after  a 
hard  day's  journey^  brought  into  a  painful 
•exercife  at  night,  in  which  I  had  to  trace 
back,  and  view  over  the  fleps  I  had  taken 
from  my  firft  moving  in  the  vifit ;  and  tho' 
I  had  to  bewail  fome  weaknefs  which,  at 
times,  had  attended  me,  yet  I  could  not 
find  that  I  had  ever  given  way  to  a  will- 
ful difobedie6ce  :  and  then  as  I  believed  I 
had,  under  a  fenfe  of  duty,  come  thus  far, 
I  was  now  earneft  in  fpirit  befeeching  the 
Lord  to  iliew  me  what  I  ought  to  do.  In 
this  great  diftrefs  I  grew  jealous  of  myfelf, 
left  the  defire  of.  reputation,  as'  a  man 
firmly  fettled  to  perfevere  through  dan- 
gers, or  the  fear  of  difgrace  arifing  on 
my  returning  without  performing  the  vi- 
fit, might  have  fome  place  in  me:  thus  I 
lay,  full  of  thoughts,  great  part*  of  the  night, 
while  my  beloved  companion  lay  and  Hepc 
by  me ;  till  the  Lord,  my  gracious  Father, 
who  faw  the  conflicts  of  my  foul,  was 
pleafed  to  give  quietnefs :  then  I  was  again 
ftrengthened  to  commit  my  life,  and  all 
things  relating  thereto,  into  his  heavenly 

hiindsj 


I5S    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

hands ;  and  getting  a  little  fleep  toward  day^ 
when  morning  came  we  arofe. 

On  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  iixth  month, 
we  fought  out  and  vifited  all  the  Indians 
hereabouts  that  we  could  meet  with  ;  they 
being  chiefly  in  one  place,  about  a  mile  from 
where  we  lodged,  in  all  perhaps  twenty. 
Here  I  exprelled  the  care  I  had  on  my  mind 
for  their  good  ;  and  told  them,  that  true 
love  had  made  me  willing  thus  to  leave  my 
family  to  come  and  fee  the  Indians,  and 
ipeak  with  them  in  their  houfes.  Some 
of  them  appeared  kind  and  friendly.  So  we 
took  our  leave  of  thefe  Indians :  and  went 
up  the  river  Sufquehannah,  about  three 
miles,  to  the  houfe  of  an  Indian,  called  Ja- 
cob January,  who  had  killed  his  hog;  and 
the  women  were  making  (lore  of  bread,  and 
preparing  to  move  up  the  river.  Here  our 
pilots  left  their  canoe  when  they  came  down 
in  the  fpring,  which,  lying  dry,  was  leaky ; 
fo  that  we,  being  detained  fome  hours,  had 
a  good  deal  of  friendly  converfation  with 
the  family ;  and  eating  dinner  w^ith  them, 
we  made  them  fome  linall  prefents.  Then 
putting  our  baggage  in  the  canoe,  fame  of 
them  pufhed  flowly  up  the  ftrcam,  and  the 
relt  of  us  rode  our  horles  ;  and  fwimming 
them  over  a  creek,  called  Lahawahamunk, 
we  pitched  our  tent  a  little  above  it,  being 
a  Ihower  in  the  evening  :  and  in  a  fenfe  of 
God's  gooclnefs  in  helping  me  in  my  diflrefs, 
fuftaining  me  under  trials,  and  inclining 
my  heart  to  trufl  in  him,  I  lay  down  in  an 

hmnble 


OF   JOHN  WOOL  MAN.  159 


humble  bowed  frame  of  mind,  and  had  a  . 
comfortable  night's  lodging. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  the  fixth  month, 
we  proceeded  forward  till  the  afternoon; 
when  a  ftorm  appearing,  w^e  met  our  canoe 
at  an  appointed  place ;  and  the  rain  conti- 
nuing, we  flayed  all  night,  which  was  lb 
heavy,  that  it  beat  through  our  tent,  and 
wet  us  and  our  baggage. 

On  the  fixteenth  day,  we  found,  on  our 
way,  abundance  of  trees  blown  down  with 
the  ftorm  yefterday ;  and  had  occafion  reve- 
rently to  coniider  the  kind  dealings  of  the 
Lord,  who  provided  a  fafe  place  for  us  in  a 
valley,  while  this  ftorm  continued.  By  the 
falling  of  abundance  of  trees  acrofs  our 
path,  we  were  much  hindered,  and  in  fome 
fwamps  our  way  was  fo  ftopped,  that  we 
got  through  with  extream  difhculty. 

I  had  this  day  often  to  confider  myfelf  as 
a  fojourner  in  this  world  ;  and  a  belief  ia 
the  all-fiifticiency  of  God  to  fupport  his  peo- 
ple in  their  pilgrimage  felt  comfortable  to 
me  ;  and  I  was  induftrioully  employed  to 
get  to  a  ftate  of  perfe(51  refignation. 

We  feldom  faw  our  canoe  but  at  appoint- 
ed places,  by  reafon  of  the  path  going  off 
from  the  river :  and  this  afternoon,  Job  Chi- 
laway,  an  Indian  from  Wehaloofing,  who 
talks  good  Englifh,  and  is  acquainted  with 
feveral  people  in  and  about  Philadelphia,  mei: 
our  people  on  the  river  ;  and  underftanding 
where  we  expected  to  lodge,  puflied  back 
gbout  fix  miles ^  and  came  to  us  after  night ; 

and 


i6o   The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 

and  in  a  while  our  own  canoe  came,  it  bef^ 
ing  hard  work  pufliing  up  ftream.  Job  told 
us,  that  an  Indian  came  in  hafte  to  their 
town  yefterday,  and  told  them,  that  three 
warriors,  coming  from  fome  diftance,  lodg- 
ed in  a  town  above  Wehaloofing  a  few  nights 
paft  ;  and  that  thefe  three  men  were  going 
againfl  the  Englifh  at  Juniata.  Job  was 
going  down  the  river  to  the  province-ftore 
at  Shamokin.  Though  I  was  fo  far  favour- 
ed with  health  as  to  continue  travelling,  yet 
through  the  various  difficulties  in  our  jour- 
ney, and  the  different  way  of  living  from 
what  I  had  been  ufed  to,  I  grew  fick :  and 
the  news  of  thefe  warriors  being  on  their 
march  fo  near  us,  and  not  knowing  whe- 
ther we  might  not  fall  in  with  them,  was  a 
frefh  trial  of  my  faith  ;  and  tho',  thro'  the 
ftrength  of  divine  love,  I  had  feveral  times 
been  enabled  to  commit  myfelf  to  the  divine 
difpofal,  I  flill  found  the  want  of  my  ftrength 
to  be  renewed,  that  I  might  perfevere  there- 
in ;  and  my  cries  for  help  were  put  up  to 
the  Lord,  who,  in  great  mercy,  gave  me  a 
refigned  heart,  in  which  I  found  quietnefs. 

On  the  feventeenth  day,  parting  from  Job 
Chilaway,  we  went  on,  and  reached  Weha-- 
loofing  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  ; 
and  the  firft  Indian  that  we  faw,  was  a  wo- 
man of  a  modeft  countenance,  with  a  Bible^ 
who  firft  fpake  to  our  guide ;  and  then,  with 
a  harmonious  voice,  expreiled  her  gladnefs 
at  leeing  us,  having  before  heard  of  our 
coming :  then,  by  the  direc^lion  of  our  guide, 


JOHN    WOOL  M  AN.  i6f 


we  fat  down  on  a  log;  and  he  went  to  the 
town,  to  tell  the  people  we  were  come.  My 
companion  and  I  fitting  thus  together,  in  a 
deep  inward  Itillnefs,  the  poor  woman  came 
and  ikt  near  iis ;  and  great  awfulnefs  com- 
ing over  ns,  we  rejoiced  in  a  fenfe  of  God's 
love  manifefted  to  our  poor  fouls.  After  a 
while,  we  heard  a  conklliell  blow  feveral 
tirnes,  and  then  came  John  Curtis,  and 
another  Indian  man,  who  kindly  invited  u.4 
into  a  houfe  near  the  town,  where  we  founds 
I  fuppofe,  about  fixty  people  fitting  in  fi- 
lencej  and  after  fitting  a  fliort  time,  I  ftood 
up,  and  in  fome  tendernefs  of  fpirit  ac- 
quainted them  with  the  nature  of  my  vifit, 
and  that  a  concern  for  their  good  had  made 
me  willing  to  come  thus  far  to  fee  them  : 
all  in  a  few  fliort  fentences,  which  fome  o£ 
them  vmderftanding,  interpreted  to  the 
others,  and  there  appeared  gladnefs  amongft 
them.  Then  I  fliewed  them  my  certificate, 
which  was  explained  to  them;  and  the  mo- 
ravian,  who  overtook  us  on  the  way,  being 
now  here,  bade  me  welcome. 

On  the  eighteenth  day,  we  refied  ourfelveiS 
this  forenoon ;  and  the  Indians  knowing  that 
the  moravian  and  I  were  of  different  reli-* 
gious  focieties,  and  as  fome  of  their  people 
had  encouraged  him  to  come  and  ftay  a 
while  with  them,  were,  I  believe,  concerned, 
that  no  jarring  or  difcord  might  be  in  their 
meetings:  and  they,  I  fuppofe,  having  con-- 
ferred  together,  acquainted  me,  that  the 
people,  at  my  reqiteft,  would,  at  any  time, 
:  M  come 


i62     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


come  together,  and  hold  meetings ;  and  al- 
io told  me,  that  they  expecled  the  moravian 
would  fpeak  in  their  fettled  meetings,  which 
are  commonly  held  morning  and  near  even- 
ing. So  I  found  liberty  in  irly  heart  to  fpeak 
to  the  moravian,  and  told  him  of  the  care 
I  felt  on  my  mind  for  the  good  of  thefe  peo- 
ple ;  and  that  I  believed  no  ill  eiFecls  would 
follow  it,  if  I  fometimes  fpake  in  their  meet- 
ings when  love  engaged  me  thereto,  with- 
out calling  them  together  at  times  when  they 
did  not  meet  of  courfe  :  whereupoii  he  ex- 
preiled  his  good-will  toward  my  fpeaking 
at  any  tune,  all  that  I  found  in  my  heart 
to  fay  :  fo  near  evening  I  was  at  their  meet-- 
ing,  where  the  pure  gofpel  love  was  felt,  to 
the  tendering  fome  of  our  hearts  ;  and  the 
interpreters  endeavouring  to  acquaint  the 
people  with  what  I  faid,  in  ihort  fentences, 
found  fome  difficulty,  as  none  of  them  were 
quite  perfect  in  the  Engliih  and  Delaware 
tongues,  fo  they  helped  one  another,  and  we 
laboured  along,  divine  love  attending:  and 
afterwards  feeiins:  mv  mind  covered  with 
the  fpirit  of  prayer,  I  told  ths  interpreters^ 
that  I  found  it  in  my  heart  to  pray  to  God, 
and  believed,  if  I  prayed  aright,  he  would 
hear  me,  and  exprelTed  my  willingnefs  for 
.them  to  omit  interpreting ;  fo  our  meeting 
ended  with  a  degree  of  divine  love  :  and 
before  the  people  went  out,  I  obferved  Pa- 
punehang  (the  man  who  had  been  zealous 
in  labouring  for  a  reformation  in  that  town, 
being  then  very  tender)  fpoke  to  one  of  the 

interpreters 


OF    JOHN   WOOL  MAN.  163 


interpreters  :  and  I  was  afterwards  told  that 
he  faid  in  fubftance  as  follows  ;  I  love  to 
feel  where  words  come  from/' 

On  the  nineteenth  day,  and  firft  of  the 
week,  this  morning  in  the  meeting  the  In- 
dian who  came  with  the  moravian,  being  al- 
fo  a  member  of  that  fociety,  prayed  ;  and 
then  the  moravian  fpake  a  fhort  time  to  the 
people:  and  in  the  afternoon,  they  coming 
together,  and  my  heart  being  filled  with  a 
heavenly  care  for  their  good,  I  fpake  to  them 
awhile  by  interpreters ;  but  none  of  them 
being  perfedl  in  the  work,  and  I  feeling  the 
current  of  love  run  ftrong,  told  the  inter- 
preters, that  I  believed  fome  of  the  people 
would  underftand  me,  and  fo  I  proceeded  : 
in  which  exercife,  I  believe  the  Holy  Ghofl 
wrought  on  fome  hearts  to  edification,  where 
all  the  words  were  not  underftood.  I  look- 
ed upon-  it  as  a  time  of  divine  favour,  and 
my  heart  Was  tendered  and  truly  thankful 
before  the  Lord  ;  and  after  I  fat  down,  one 
of  the  interpreters  feemed  fpirited  to  give  the 
Lidians  the  fubftance  of  what  I  had  faid. 

Before  our  firft  meeting  this  morning,  I 
was  led  to  meditate  on  the  manifold  diffi- 
culties of  thefe  Indians,  wdio,  by  the  per- 
miffion  of  the  Six  Nations,  dwell  in  thefe 
parts  ;  and  a  near  fympathy  with  them  was 
raifed  in  me ;  and  my  heart  being  enlarged 
in  the  love  of  Clirift,  I  thought  that  the  af- 
fectionate care  of  a  good  man  for  his  only 
brother  in  affliction,  does  not  exceed  what  I 
then  felt  for  that  people. 

M  2  I  came 


i64  Ths  LIFE,,A(f^J[|/Vyp?.,, 

I  came  to  this  place  through  much  trou- 
ble ;  and  though,  through  the  mercies  of 
God,  I  believed,  that  if  I  died  in  the  jour- 
ney, it  would  be  well  with  me  ;  yet  the 
thoughts  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  Indian 
warriors,  were,  in  times  of  weaknefs,  afHidl- 
ing  to  me  ;  and  being  of  a  tender  conftitu- 
tion  of  body,  the  thoughts  of  captivity 
amongft  them  were,  at  times,  grievous  ;  as 
fuppofing,  that  they  being  ftrong  and  hardy, 
might  demand  fervice  of  me  beyond  what  I 
could  well  bear ;  but  the  Lord  alone  was  my 
keeper;  and  1  believed,  if  I  went  into  capti- 
vity, it  would  be  for  fome  good  end;  and 
thus,  from  time  to  time,  my  mind  was  cen- 
tered in  refignation,  in  which  I  always  found 
quietnefs.  And  now,  this  day,  though  I  had 
the  fame  dangerous  wildernefs  between  me 
and  home,  I  was  inwardly  joyful  that  the 
Lord  had  ftrengthened  me  to  come  on  this 
vifit,  and  manifefted  a  fatherly  care  over  me 
in  my  poor  lowly  condition,  when  in  mine 
own  eyes  I  appeared  inferior  to  mahy  a- 
mongft  the  Indians.  -^i^  i 

When  the  laft  mentioned  meeting^  'was 
ended,  it  being  night  Papunehang  went  to 
bed  ;  and  one  of  the  interpreters  fitting  by 
me,  I  obferved  Papunehang  fpoke  with  an 
harmonious  voice,  I  fuppofe,  a  minute  or 
two:  and  aUdng  the  interpreter,  was  told, 
that  he  was  exprelTmg  his  thankfulnefs  to 
God  for  the  favours  he  had  received  that 
,day  ;  and  prayed  that  he  would  continue  to 
favour  him  with  that  fame,  v/hich  he  had 

experienced 


OF    JOKN    WOOL  MAN.  165 


experienced  in  that  meeting."  That  though 
Papunehang  had  before  agreed  to  receive  the 
inoravian,  and  join  with  them,  he  ftill  ap- 
peared kind  and  loving  to  us. 

On  the  twentieth  day,  I  was  at  two  meet^ 
ings,  and  filent  in  them.  '  T.^  '^'f^^'  f^^^^^^^^ 
/  The  twenty-firft  day.  This  morning  in 
meeting  my  heart  was  enlarged  in  pure  love 
amongft  them,  and  in  fhort  plain  fentences 
exprefled  feveral  things  that  refted  upon  me, 
which  one  of  the  interpreters  gave  the  peo- 
ple pretty  readily ;  after  which  the  meeting 
ended  in  fupplication,  and  I  had  caufe  hum- 
bly to  acknowledge  the  loving-kindnefs  of 
the  Lord  toward  us ;  and  then  I  believed 
that  a  door  remained  open  for  the  faithful 
difciples  of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  labour  amongft 
thefe  people. 

I  now  feeling  my  mind  at  liberty  to  re- 
turn, took  my  leave  of  them  in  general,  at 
tjie  conclufion  of  what  I  faid  in  meeting; 
and  fo  we  prepared  to  go  homevv^ard:  but 
fome  of  their  moft  adlive  men  told  us,  that 
when  we  were  ready  to  move,  the  people 
\vould  choofe  to  come  and  fhake  hands  with 
us ;  which  thofe  who  ufaaily  came  to  meet- 
ing did  :  and  from  a  fecret  draught  in  my 
mind,  I  went  amongft  fome  who  did  not 
ufe  to  go  to  meeting,  and  took  my  leave  of 
them  alfo :  and  the  moravian  and  his  Indian 
interpreter,  appeared  refpedlful  to  us  at  part- 
ing. This  town  ftands  oh  the  bank  of  Suf- 
quehannah,  and  confifts,  I  believe,  of  about 
fgrty  houfes,  moftly  compad  together  j  fome 

about 


i66     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


about  thirty  feet  long,  and  eighteen  wide, 
feme  bigger,  fome  lefs  ;  mollly  bnilt  of  fplit 
plank,  one  end  fet  in  the  ground,  and  the 
other  pinned  to  a  plate,'  on  which  lay  raf- 
ters, and  covered  with  bark.  I  underiland 
a  great  flood  iaft  winter  overflowed  the  chief 
part  of  the  ground  whe^e  the  town  ftands  ; 
and  forne  were  now  about  moving  their 
houfes  to  higher  ground. 

Wc  expected  only  two  Indians  to  be  our 
company  ;  but  vv^hen  v^e  were  ready  to  go, 
v/e  found  many  of  theni  were  going  to  Eeth-^ 
lehem  with  flvins  and  furrs,  who  chofe  to 
go  in  company  with  us :  fo  they  loaded  two 
canoes,  which  they  defired  us  to  go  in,  tell- 
ing us,  that  the  waters  were  fo  raifed  with 
the  rains,  that  the  horfes  fnould  be  taken  by 
fuch  v/ho  were  better  acquainted  with  the 
fording  places  :  fo  we.  with  feveral  Indians, 
went  in  the'  canoes,  and  others  went  on 
liorfes,  there  being  feven  beiides  ours.  And 
we  meetini>;  w^ith  the  horfemen  once  on  the 
way  by  appointment,  and  then  near  night, 
a  little  below  a  branch  called  Tankhannkh, 
we  lodged  there  ;  and  fome  of  the  young 
men  going  out  a  little  before  duflc  with  their 
guns,  brought  in  a  deer. 

On  the  twenty- fecond  day,  through  dili- 
gence, we  reached  Wioming  before  night, 
and  underftood  the  Indians  were  moftly  gone 
from  this  place:  here  we  went  up  a  irnall 
creek  into  the  woods  with  our  canoes,  and, 
pitching  our  tent,  carried  out  our  baggage  j 
and  before  dark  our  horfes  came  to  vis. 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  M  A  N.  167 

On  the  twenty- third  day  in  the  morninp; 
theh^  horfes  were  loaded,  and  we  prepared 
our  baggage  and  fo  fet  forward,  being  in  all 
fouiteeri  ;  and  with  diligent  travelling  were 
favoured  to  get  near  half  way  to  Fort-Allen. 
The  land  on  this  road  from  Wioming  to  our 
frontier  being  moftiy  poor,  and  good  grafs 
fcarce,  they  chofe  a  piece  of  low  ground  to 
lodge  on,  as  the  beft  for  grahng  ;  and  I 
having  fweat  much  in  travelling,  and  be- 
ing weary  ilept  found  ;  I  perceived  in  the 
night  that  I  had  taken  cold,  of  which  I  was 
favoured  to  get  better  foon, 

On  the  tvv^enty-fourth  day  we  paffed  Fort-^ 
Allen,  and  lodged  near  it  in  the  woods. 

Having  forded  the  wefleriy  branch  of  De- 
law^are  three  times,  and  thereby  had  a  iliorter 
way,  and  rnifled  going  over  the  top  of  the 
•blue  moimtains,  called  the  Second  Ridge.  In 
the  fecond  time  fording,  v/here  the  river  cuts 
thro'  the  mountain,  the  waters  being  rapid 
and  pretty  deep,  and  my  companion's  mare 
being  a  tall  tradlable  animal,  he  fundry 
times  drove  her  back  thro'  thQ  river,  and 
they  loaded  her  with  the  burthens  of  fome 
fmall  horfes,  wdiich  they  thought  not  fuffici- 
ent  to  come  thro'  wnth  their  loads. 

The  troubles  weftward,  and  the  difficulty 
for  Indians  to  pafs  thro'  our  frontier,  I  ap- 
pr-ehcnd  was  one  reafon  why  fo  many  came ; 
as  expelling  that  our  being  in  company, 
would  prevent  the  outficie  inhabitants  from 
being  farprizecL 


l68    Tj|^JuIF&  ^nD  TRAVELS. 

On  the  twenty-fifth  day  we  reached  Beth- 
lehem, taking  care  on  the  way  to  keep  fore- 
moft,  and  to  acquaint  people  on  and  near 
the  road  who  thefe  Indians  were:  this  we 
found  very  needful;  for.  the  frontier  inha- 
bitants w^ere  often  alarmed  at  the  report  of 
Englifh  teing  killed  by  Indians  weftward, 

Amongft  our  company  were  fome  who  I 
did  not  remember  to  have  feen  at  meeting, 
and  fome  of  thefe  at  firft  were  very  referved  ; 
but  we  being  feveral  days  together,  and  be- 
having friendly  toward  them,  and  making 
them  fuitable  returns  for  the  fervices  they 
did  us,  they  became  more  free  and  fociable. 

On  the  twenty-lixth  day  and  firft  of  the 
w^eek,  having  carefully  endeavoured  to  fettle 
all  afFairSi  with  the  Indians  relative  to  our 
jdiirney ;    v/e  took  leave  of  them,    and  I 
tb  ought  they  generally  parted  with  us  af- 
fectionately I  fo  we  getting  to  Richland,  had 
a  very  comfortable  meeting  amongft  our 
friends  :  here  I  parted  with  my  kind  friend 
and  companion  Benjamin  Parvin  ;  and  ac- 
companied by  my  friend  Samuel  Fovilk,  we 
rode  to  John  Cadwallader's,  from  whence  I 
reached  home  the  next  day,  where  I  found 
my  family  middling  well ;  and  they  and  my 
friends  all  along  appeared  glad  to  lee  me  re- 
turn from  a  journey  which  they  apprehend^- 
ed  dangerous  :  but  my  mind,  while  I  was 
out,  had  been  fb  employed  in  ftriving  for  a 
perfect:  refignation,  and  I  had  fo  often  been 
confirmed  'in  a  belief,  that  whatever  the 
l^prd  might  be  pleafed  to  allot  for  me,  would 


oP^jOHN   WOOLuA^y  169 

work  for  good :  I  was  carefvil  leafl  I  fliould 
admit  any  degree  of  felfifhnefs  in  being  glad 
overmuch,  and  laboured  to  improve  by  thofe 
trials  in  fuch  a  manner  as  my  gracious  Fa- 
ther and  protedlor  intends  for  me.  Between 
the  Englifli  inhabitants  and  Wehaloofing, 
we  had  only  a  narrow  path,  which  in  many 
places  is  much  grown  up  with  buflies,  and 
interrupted  by  abundance  of  trees  lying 
acrofs  it,  thefe,  together  with  the  moun- 
tains, fwamps,  and  rough  ftones,  make  it  a 
difficult  road  to  travel ;  and  the  more  fo,  for 
that  rattlefnakes  abound  there,  of  which  we 
killed  four:  that  people  who  have  never  been 
in  fuch  places,  have  but  an  imperfedl  idea 
of  them  ;  but  I  was  not  only  taught  pa- 
tience, but  alfo  made  thankful  to  God,  who 
thus  led  me  about  and  inllrucfted  me,  that  I 
might  have  a  quick  and  lively  feeling  of 
the  afflidlions  of  my  fellow-creatures,  whofe 
fituation  in  life  is  difficult. 


CHAP, 


The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


C  H  A  P,  IX. 

JRis  religious  conrcerfation  'with  a  company  met 
to  fee  the  tricks  of  a  juggler  —  His  account 
of  John  Smitljs  advice^  and  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  a  committee^  at  the  yearly-meet" 
wg  in  I'j  6 ^  —  Contemplations  on  the  nature 
of  true  %vifdo7n^  occofioned  by  hearing  of  the 
cruelty  of  the  Indians  to  their  captives — - 
His  v  fit ing  the  families  of  friends  at  Mount- 
Holly  ^  Mansfield  and  Burlington  in  I'^jb^^and 
the  meetings  on  the fea  cg af  from  Cape'Miay  to- 
"u^ard  Squan  in  Ij6^-—His  vifit  to  the  Lower 
Counties  on  Dela%vare  and  the  Eafern  Shore 
of  Miaryland  m  17665  in  company  with  John 
Sleeper  ;  with  fome  account  of  Jofeph  Ni- 
chols and  his  followers  ;  and  ohfervations 
on  the  different  fate  of  the  Jirf  fet  tiers  in 
Pemijylvama  who  depended  on  their  own 
labGiir^  and  thqje  cf  the  font  hern  provinces 
who  kept  negroes  ■  His  vijtting  the  north- 
ern parts  of  New-Jerfey  the  fame  year^  and 
the  "ivefern  parts  of  Maryland  and  Penn- 
fylvania  in  I'^bn^  and  afterwards  other 
pyarts  of  P envfylvania  and  the  families  of 
friends  at  Mioiint-Holly  ;  and  again  feveral 
parts  of  Maryland  in  1768 — Further  con- 
f  derations  on  keeping  faves  ;  and  his  con- 
cern for  having  formerly  ^  as  an  executor^  been 
party  to  the  fcde  of  one ;  and  what  he 
did   in   confequence  of  it  —  Thoughts  on 

friends 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  171 

friends   excrcifing   offices  in  civil  govern^ 
ment. 

THE  latter  part  of  the  fummer,  1763, 
there  came  a  man  to  Mouiit-Koily, 
who  had  before  publilhed,  by  a  printed 
advertifement,  that  at  a  certain  pubhck- 
honfe,  he  would  fhew  many  wonderful  ope- 
rations, which  he  therein  cnuiiierated. 

This  man,  at  the  time  appointed,  did, 
by  flight  of  hand,  fundry  things ;  which, 
to  thofe  gathered,  appeared  ftrange. 

The  next  day,  I  hearing  of  it,  and  un- 
derftanding  that  the  fliew  was  to  be  conti- 
nued the  next  night,  and  the  people  to  meet 
about  fan-fet,  felt  an  exercife  on  that  ac- 
count: fo  I  went  to  the  publick-houfe  in 
the  evening,  and  told  the  rnan  of  the  houfe 
that  I  had  an  inclination  to  fpend  a  part 
of  the  evening  there ;  with  which  he  figni- 
fied  that  he  was  content.  Then  fittinf:;  down 
by  the  door,  I  fpake  to  the  people  as  they 
came  together,  concerning  this  iliew ;  and 
more  coming  and  fitting  down  with  us,  the 
feats  at  the  door  were  mofdy  filled ;  and  I 
had  converfation  with  them  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  and  laboured  to  convince  them 
that  thus  alTembling  to  fee  thofe  tricks  or 
flights  of  hands,  and  beftowing  their  mo- 
ney to  fupport  men  who  in  that  capacity 
vv^ere  of  no  ufe  in  the  world,  was  contrary 
to  the  nature  of  the  chriftian  religion. 

There  Vv^as  one  of  the  company  who,  for  a 
time,  endeavoured  by  arguments  to  fliew 

the 


the  reafonablenefs  of  their  proceedings  here-^. 
in ;  but  after  confiidering  fome  texts  of  fcrip- 
ture,  and  calmly  debating  the  matter,  he 
gave  up  the  point;  So  having  fpent  about 
an  hour  amongft  them,  and  feeling  my 
mind  eafy,  I  departed. 

At  our  yearly-meeting  at  Philadelphia,  on 
the  tv^enty-fifth  day  of  the  ninth  month, 
1764,  John  Smith  of  Marlborough,  aged 
upwards  of  eighty  years,  a  faithful  minifter, 
tho'  not  eloquent,  flood  up  in  our  meeting 
of  minifters  and  elders,  and  appearing  to 
be  under  a  great  exercife  of  fpirit,  informed 
friends  in  fubftance  as  follows  :  to  wit, 

That  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  fociety 
upward  of  fixty  years,  and  well  remembered 
that  in  thofe  early  times  friends  were  a  plain 
lowly-minded  people  ;  and  that  there  was 
much  tendernefs  and  contrition  in  their 
meetings, — That  at  twenty  years  from  that 
time,  the  fociety  increafing  in  wealth,  and  in 
fome  degree  conforming  to  the  fafhions  of  the 
world,  iriie  humility  was  lefs  apparent,  and 
their  meetings  in  general  not  fo  lively  and 
edifying- — That  at  the  end  of  forty  years, 
many  of  them  were  grown  very  rich ;  that 
wearing  of  fine  coftly  garments,  and  ufing  of 
jfilver  (and  other)  watches,  became  cuflomary 
with  them,  their  fons,  and  their  daughters,  and 
anany  of  the  fociety  made  a  fpacious  appear- 
ance in  the  world ;  which  marks  of  outward 
wealth  and  greatnefs,  appeared  on  fome  in 
our  meetings  of  minifters  and  elders ;  and 
thefe  things  became  more  prev?Jent,  fo 


G  W p  O  L  M  A  N.    1 73 

the  powerful  overfliadowings  of  the  Holy 
Ghofl  were  lefs  manifefl  in  the  Society — 
That  there  had  been  a  continued  increafe  of 
thefe  ways  of  life  even  imtil  now ;  and  that 
the  weaknefs  which  hath  now  overfpread 
the  fociety,  and  the  barrennefs  manifefl 
amongft  us,  is  matter  of  much  forrow." 
He  then  mentioned  the  vmcertainty  of  his 
attending  thefe  meetings  in  future,  expedl- 
ing  his  dilToIution  was  now  near  ;  and  hav- 
ing tenderly  exprelTed  his  concern  for  us, 
fignified  that  he  had  feen  in  the  true  light 
that  the  Lord  would  bring  back  his  people 
from  thefe  things  into  which  they  were  thus^ 
degenerated,  but  that  his  faithful  fervants 
muft  firft  go  thro'  great  and  heavy  exer- 
cifes  therein. 

On  the  twenty-ninth  day,  the  committee 
appointed  by  the  yearly-meeting  to  vifit 
the  quarterly  and  monthly  meetings,  now 
gave  an  account  in  writing  of  their  proceed- 
ings in  that  fervice  ;  in  which  they  figni- 
fied, that  in  the  courfe  of  it,  they  had  been 
apprehenfive  that  fome  perfons  holding  of- 
fices in  government,  inconfiftent  with  our 
principles  ;  and  others  who  kept  flaves,  re- 
maining adlive  members  in  our  meetings  of 
difcipline,  had  been  one  means  of  weaknefs 
more  and  more  prevailing  in  the  manage- 
ment thereof  in  fome  places.  After  this  re- 
port was  read,  an  exercife  revived  on  my 
mind,  which,  at  times,  had  attended  me  fe- 
veral  years,  and  inward  cries  to  the  Lord 
were  raifed  in  me,  that  the  fear  of  man 

might 


174   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

might  not  prevent  me  from  doing  what  he 
required  of  me  ;  and  {landing  up,  I  fpake 
in  fubflance  as  follows :  I  have  felt  a  ten- 
dernefs  in  my  mind  toward  perfons,  in  two 
clrcumftances  mentioned  in  that  report ; 
that  is,  toward  fach  adlive  members  who 
keep  Haves,  and  f\ich  who  hold  offices  in  ci- 
vil government  ;  and  have  defired,  that 
friends  in  all  their  condu(fl  may  be  kindly 
affedlioned  one  toward  another.  Many 
friends,  who  keep  flaves,  are  under  fome 
exercife  on  that  account  ;  and,  at  times, 
think  about  trying  them  with  freedom ;  but 
find  many  things  in  their  way  :  and  the 
way  of  living,  and  annual  expences  of  fome 
of  them  are  fucli,  that  it  feems  impractica- 
ble for  them  to  fet  their  llaves  free,  without 
changing  their  own  way  of  life.  It  has  been 
my  lot  to  be  often  abroad ;  and  I  have  ob- 
ferved  in  fome  places,  at  quarterly  and  year- 
ly meetings,  and  at  fome  houfes  v/here  tra- 
velling friends  and  their  horfes  are  often 
entertained,  that  the  yearly  expence  of  in- 
dividuals therein  is  very  conilderable  :  and 
friends  in  fome  places  crouding  much  on 
perfons  in  thefe  circumflances  for  entertain- 
ment, hath  often  reftcd  as  a  biu^then  on  my 
mind  for  fome  years  paft ;  and  I  now  ex- 
prefs  it  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  greatly  de- 
firing  that  friends  now  prefent  may  duly 
confider  it.'' 

In  the  fall  of  this  year,  having  hired  a 
man  to  v/ork,  I  perceived  in  converfation 
that  he  had  been  a  foldier  in  the  late  war  on 

this 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN,  175 

this  continent ;  and  in  the  evening,  giving 
a  narrative  of  his  captivity  amongil  the  In- 
dians, he  informed  me  that  he  law  two  of 
his  fellow  captives  tortured  to  death  in  a  very- 
cruel  manner. 

This  relation  afFedled  me  with  fadnefs, 
tinder  which  I  went  to  bed ;  and  the  next 
morning,  foon  after  1  aw^oke,  a  freih  and 
living  fenfe  of  divine  love  was  fpread  over 
my  mind  ;  in  which  I  had  a  renewed  pro- 
fnedl  of  the  nature  of  that  wifdom  from 
above,  v/hich  leads  to  a  right  ufe  of  all  gifts^ 
both  fpiritual  and  temporal,  and  gives  con- 
tent therein  :  under  a  feeling  thereof,  I 
wrote  as  foilov>rs : 

Hath  He,  who  gave  me  a  being  attend- 
ed with  manv  wants  unknov^n  to  brute- 

y 

creatures,  giveii  me  a  capacity  fuperior  to 
theirs  ?  and  fliew'n  me,  that  a  moderate  ap- 
plication to  bufinefs  is  proper  to  my  prefent 
condition  ;  and  that  this,  attended  v/ith  his 
bleffing,  may  flipply  all  outward  wants, 
while  they  remain  v/ithin  the  bounds  he 
hath  fixed  ;  and  no  imaginary  wants  pro-- 
ceeding  from  an  evil  fpirit,  have  any  place 
in  me  ?  Attend  then,  O  my  foul  !  to  this 
pure  wifdom,  as  thy  fare  condu6lor  thro' 
the  manifold  dangers  in  this  world 

Doth  pride  lead  to  vanity  ?  -Doth  vani- 
ty form  imaginary  wants  ?  Do  thefe  wants 
prompt  men  to  exert  their  power  in  requir- 
ing that  of  others,  which  themfelves  w  ould 
rather  be  excufed  from,  were  the  fome  re- 
quired of  them  V 

D'^ 


176   The  life  and  TRAVELS 

Do  tKofe  proceedings  beget  hard 
thoughts?  Do  hard  thoughts,  when  ripe, 
become  mahce  ?  Does  malice,  when  ripe^ 
become  revengeful ;  and  in  the  end  inflict 
terrible  pains  on  their  fellow-^creatures,  and 
Ipread  defolations  in  the  world 

Doth  mankind,  walking  in  uprightnefs^ 
delight  in  each  other^s  happinefs  ?  And  do 
thefe  creatures,  capable  of  this  attainment 
by  giving  way  to  an  evil  fpirit,  employ  their 
wit  and  ftrength  to  afflidt  and  deftroy  one 
another 

Remember  then^  O  my  foul!  the  quietude 
of  thofe  in  whom  Chrift  governs,  and  in  all 
thy  proceedings  feel  after  it!" 

^'  Doth  he  condefcend  to  blefs  thee  with 
his  prcfence  ?  To  move  and  influence  to 
aclion  ?  To  dwell  in  thee,  and  walk  in  thee  ? 
Remember  then  thy  fl:ation,  as  a  being  fa- 
cred  to  God ;  accept  of  the  ftrength  freely 
oflered  thee  ;  and  take  heed  that  no  weak- 
nefs,  in  cor^forming  to  expenflve,  unwife^ 
and  hard-hearted  cuftoms,  gendering  to  dif- 
cord  and  ftrife,  be  given  way  to.  Doth  he 
claim  my  body  as  his  temple  ?  And  graci- 
oufly  grant  that  I  may  be  facred  to  him. 
Oh !  that  I  may  prize  this  favour  ;  and  that 
my  whole  life  may  be  conformable  to  this 
character  !" 

Remember,  O  my  foul !  that  the  prince 
of  peace  is  thy  Lord :  that  he  communicates 
his  immixed  wifdom  to  his  family ;  that 
they  living  in  perfect  fimplicity,  may  give 

no 


oy  JOHN  WOOLMAff  (jj 

no  jufl  caufe  of  ©ffence  to  aiiy  ct'eattire,  bitf 
may  walk  as  he  walked!'^  -  >5 

'  Having  felt  an  opemiefs  iti  il&y  heart  ta^ 
^ard  vifiting  families  in  out  oWil  fneeting, 
and  efpecially  in  the  town  of  MGurit-HoU;^^ 
the  pkce  of  my  abode,  I  mentioned  it  in 
our  monthly-meeting  the  fore-part  of  the 
winter  1764;  which  being  agreed  to,  and 
feveral  friends  of  our  meeting  being  onitedr 
m  the  exercife,  we  proceeded  therein ;  anct 
through  divine  favour  were  helped  in  the 
work,  fo  that  it  appeared  to  me  as  a  frellt 
Reviving  of  godly  care  amongft  friends  :  and 
the  latter  part  of  the  fam^  winter,  I  joined? 
my  friend  William  Jones,  in  a  vifit  to  friends 
families  in  Mansfield  ;  in  which  labour,  I 
had  caufe  to  admire  the  goodnefs  of  thef 
Lord  toward  us. 

Having  felt  my  mind  drawn  toward  a 
vifit  to  friends  along  the  fea-coafl  from  Cape 
May  to  near  Squan ;  and  alfo  to  viiit  fome 
people  in  thofe  parts,  amongft  whom  ther^ 
is  no  fettled  worfhip  ;  I  joined,  with  my  be- 
loved friend  Benjamin  Jones,  in  a  viiit  there, 
having  friends  unity  therein  :  and  fetting  off 
the  twenty-fovirth  day  of  the  tenth  month^ 
^7^5)  we  had  a  profpcrous  and  very  fatis- 
fadlory  journey  ;  feeling,  at  times,  thro' the 
goodnefs  of  the  heavenly  Shepherd,  the  gof- 
pel  to  flow  freely  toward  a  poor  people  Icat  - 
tered  in  thofe  places  :  and  fooli  after  our  rec- 
tum, I  joined  my  friends  John  Sleeper  and 
Elizabeth  Smitlx,  in  viflting  friends  families;- 

N  at 


lyS   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


at  Burlington,  there  being  at  this  time 
about  fifty  families^ji^ff  our  fociety:  ;i%  tbat 
city ;  and  we  had  caufe  humbly  rto^v^idore 
our  heavenly  Father,  who  baptized  us  in- 
to a  feeling  of  the  ftate  of  the  people,  and 
ftrengthened  us  to  labour  in  true  gofpel  love 
amongft  them. 

An  exercile  having, ^i^ijtimes,  for  feveral 
years,  attended  me,  in  regard  to  paying  a 
religious  vifit  to  friends  on  the  Eaflern  Shore 
of  Maryland  :  fuch  was  the  nature  of  this 
exercife,  that  I  believed  the  Lord  moved  me 
to  travel  on  foot  amongft  them,  that  by  fo 
'  travelling  I  might  have  a  more  lively  feeling 
of  the  condition  of  the  oppreiTed  flaves,  fet 
an  example  of  lowlinefs  before  the  eyes  of 
their  matters,  and  be  more  out  of  the  way  of 
temptation  to  unprofitable  converfe. 

The  time  now  drawing  near  in  which  I 
believed  it  my  duty  to  lay  my  concern  be- 
fore our  monthly  meeting,  I  perceived  in 
converfation  with  my  beloved  friend  Johu 
Sleeper,  that  he  was  under  a  concern.^ffll^^- 
vel  the  fame  way,  and  alfo  to  travel  on  foot 
in  the  form  of  a  fervant  amongft  them,  as 
he  expreft  it.  This  he  told  me  before  he 
knew  aught  of  my  exercife. 

We  being  thus  drawn  the  fame  waC^^^laid 
our  exercife  and  the  nature  of  it  before 
friends;  and  obtaining  certificates,  we  Jet 
off  the  fixth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1 766  ; 
and  were  at  meetings  with  friend^ ;  Wil- 
mington, Puck-Creek^  Little-Creek  and  Mp- 

tJierkill  5 


e M  j6ii N  wo OLM AM.  ifg^ 

"tllerkill  ;  my  heart  being  fundry  times  ten-* 
^^ered  under  the  divine  influence,  and  en-^ 
-krged  in  love  toward  the  people  amongft 
•Whom 'we  travelled.  n^*-  - 

-  -  From  Motherkill,  we  crolTed  the  country 
about  thirty-five  miles  to  friends  at  Tucka-^ 
hoe  in  Maryland,  and  had  a  meeting  there 

^'  and  at  Marfhy-Creek. 

At  thefe,  our  three  laft  meetings,  were  a 
^-^confiderable  number  of  people,  followers  of 
^'One  Jofeph  Nichols,  a  preacher ;  who,  I  un- 
'"derftand,  is  not  in  outward  fellowiliip  with 
*-any  religious  fociety  of  people,  but  profeff- 
c^th  nearly  the  fame  principles  as  our  fbcie^y 
doth,  and  often  travels  up  and  down  ap- 
pointing meetings,  to  which  many  people 
come.  I  heard  fome  friends  fpeaking  of  fome 
of  their  neighbours,  who  had  been  irreligi- 
ous people,  that  were  now  his  followers,  and 
were  become  fober  well-behaved  men  and 
-^tvomen. 

^{^  Sofee  irregularities,  I  hear,  have  beerr 
"  atnong0Hthe  people  at  feveral  of  his  meet- 

-  ings  ;  but  from  the  whole  of  what  I  have^ 
.^  perceived,  I  believe  the  man  and  fome  of  his- 
^  followers,  are  honeftly  difpofed,  but  that 

.|kilful  fathers  are  wanting  among  them : 
-^"ilrom  hence  we  went  to  Choptank  and  Third 

-  Haven  ;  and  thence  to  Queen  Ann's.  The 
weather  having  fome  days  pafl  been  hot  and 
dry,  and  we  to  attend  meetings  purfuant  to* 
appointment,  having  travelled  pretty  fteadily,. 
and  had  hard  labour  in  meetings,  I  grew; 

N  z  weakly^. 


iBo   1?HE  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


weakly ;  at  which  I  was  for  a  time  difcou-^ 
raged  ;  but  looking  over  our  journey,  and 
thinking  how  the  Lord  had  lupported  our^ 
minds  and  bodies,  fo  that  we  got  forward 
much  fafter  than  I  expecled  before  we  came 
out,  I  now  faw  that  I  had  been  in  danger  of 
too  ftrongly  defiring  to  get  foon  through  the 
journey,  and  that  this  bodily  weaknefs  now 
attending  me  was  a  kindnefs  to  me  ;  and 
then,  in  contrition  of  fpirit,  I  became  very 
thankful  to  my  gracious  Father,  for  this  ma- 
nifeftation  of  his  love ;  and  in  humble  fub- 
milTion  to  his  will,  my  truft  was  renewed  m 
him. 

On  this  part  of  our  journey,  I  had  many 
thoughts  on  the  different  circumftances  of 
friends  who  inhabit  Fennfylvania  and  Jer- 
fey,  from  thofe  who  dwell  in  Maryland,  Vir-» 
ginia,  and  Carolina.  Fennfylvania  and  New- 
Jerfey  were  fettled  by  many  friends,  who 
were  convinced  of  our  principles  in  England 
in  times  of  fufFerings,  and  coming  over 
bought  lands  of  the  natives,  and  applied 
themfelves  to  hufbandry  in  a  peaceable  way  ; 
and  many  of  their  children  were  taugh*  to 
labour  for  their  living. 

Few  friends,  I  believe,  came  from  Eiig^ 
land  to  fettle  in  any  of  thefe  fouthern  pro- 
vinces ;  but  by  the  faithful  labours  of  tra- 
velling friends  in  early  times,  there  was  con- 
fiderable  convincements  amongfl:  the  inhabi- 
tants of  thefe  parts.  Flere  I  remembered  my 
reading  of  the  warlike  difpolition  of  many 

of 


OF  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  181 


of  the  fir  ft  fettlers  in  thofe  provinces,  and 
of  their  numerous  engagements  with  the  na- 
tives, in  which  much  blood  was  fhed,  even 
in  the  infancy  of  thofe  colonies.  Thefe  peo- 
ple, inhabiting  thofe  places,  being  grounded 
in  cuftoms  contrary  to  the  pure  truth,  when 
fome  of  them  were  affedled  with  the  power- 
ful preaching  of  the  Word  of  Life,  and 
joined  in  feliowftiip  with  our  fociety,  they 
had  a  great  work  to  go  through.  It  is  ob- 
fervable  in  the  Hiftory  of  the  Reformation 
from  Popery,  that  it  had  a  gradual  progrefs 
from  age  to  age  :  the  uprightnefs  of  the 
firft  reformers,  in  attending  to  the  light  and 
underftanding  given  them,  opened  the  way 
for  fincere-hearted  people  to  proceed  further 
afterward  ;  and  thus  each  one  truly  fearing 
God,  and  labouring  in  thofe  works  of  righte- 
oufnefs  appointed  for  them  in  their  day, 
findeth  acceptance  with  him :  though,  thro* 
the  darknefs  of  the  times,  and  the  corrup- 
tion of  manners  and  cuftoms,  fome  upright 
men  may  have  had  little  more  for  their  day's 
work  than  to  attend  to  the  righteous  princi- 
ple in  their  minds,  as  it  related  to  their  own 
condudl  in  life,  without  pointing  out  to 
others  the  whole  extent  of  that,  which  the 
fame  principle  would  lead  fucceeding  ages 
into.  Thus  for  inftance ;  amongft  an  impe- 
rious warlike  people,  fupported  by  opprefTed 
Haves,  fome  of  thefe  mafters,  I  fuppofe,  r^re 
awakened  to  feel  and  fee  their  error;  and, 
thro'  fiacere  repentan<:e,  ceafe  from  oppref- 

fion^ 


,§2  i^M  i^iFE  A Travels 

fian,  and  become  like  fathers  to  their  fer-^ 
vants ;  ihewing,  by  their  example,  a  pat-** 
tern  of  humility  in  living,  and  moderation 
in  governing,  for  the  inftru6lion  and  admo- 
nition of  their  oppreffing  neighbours  ;  thofe^ 
without  carrying  the  reformation  further, 
I  believe  have  fDund  acceptance  with  the 
Lord,  Such  was  the  beginning;  and  thofe 
who  fucceeded  them,  and  have  faithfully  at*^ 
tended  to  the  nature  and  fpirit  of  the  re-' 
formation,  have  feen  the  neceffity  of  pro- 
ceeding forward;  and  not  only  to  inftru6l 
others,  by  their  example,  in  governing  well^ 
but  alfb  to  ufe  means  to  prevent  their  fuG- 
ceflbrs  from  having  fo  much  power  to  op- 
prefs  others. 

Here  I  was  renewedly  confirmed  in  my 
mind,  that  the  Lord  (whofe  tender  mercies 
are  over  all  his  works,  and  whofe  ear  is  open 
to  the  cries  and  groans  of  the  oppreffed)  is 
gi^acioufly  moving  on  the  hearts  of  people, 
to  draw  them  off  from  the  defire  of  wealth, 
and  bring  them  into  fuch  an  humble,  lowly 
way  of  living,  that  they  may  fee  their  way 
clearly,  to  repair  to  the  ftandard  of  true 
righteoufnefs ;  and  not  only  break  the  yoke 
bf  oppreffion,  but  know  him  to  be  their 
ftrength  and  fupport  in  a  time  of  outward 

3 -  We  paffing  on  crofled  Chefter-River  ;  and 
li'ad  a  meeting  there,  and  at  Cecil  and  SalTa^ 
fras.  Thro'  my  bodily  weaknefs,  joined  with 
he^vy  exercife  of  mind,  it  was  to  me  an 

}i\imbUng 


D  F  J  O  H  N  W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  183 

liiunbling  difpenfation,  and  I  had  a  very- 
lively  feeling  of  the  fhate  of  the  opprefled  ; 
yet  I  often  thought,  that  v^hat  I  fuffered  was 
little,  compared  with  the  fufferings  of  the 
blefTed  Jefus,  and  many  of  his  faithful  fol- 
lowers ;  and  may  fay  with  thankfulnefs,  I 
was  made  content. 

From  SafTafras  we  went  pretty  diredlly 
home,  where  we  found  our  families  well ; 
and  for  feveral  weeks  after  our  return,  I  had 
often  to  look  over  our  journey  :  and  tho'  to 
me  it  appeared  as  a  fmall  fervice,  and  that 
fqme  faithful  mefTengers  will  yet  have  more 
bitter  cups  to  drink  in  thofe  fouthern  pro- 
vinces for  Chrift's  fake  than  we  had;  yet  I 
found  peace  in  that  I  had  been  helped  to 
walk  in  fincerity,  *  according  to  the  under- 
flanding  and  ftrength  given  me. 
,  On  the  thirteenth  day  of  the  eleventh 
month,  .1766,  with  the  unity  of  friends  at 
our  monthly-meeting,  in  company  with  my 
beloved  friend  Benjamin  Jones,  I  fat  out  on 
a^vifit  to  friends  in  the  upper  part  of  this 
province,  having  had  drawings  of  love  in 
my  heart  that  way  a  confiderable  time:  we 
travelled  as  far  as  Hardwick  ;  and  I  had  in- 
ward peace  in  my  labours  of  love  amongft 
them. 

Thro'  the  humbling  difpenfations  of  Di- 
vine Providence,  my  mind  hath  been  brought 
into  a  further  feeling  of  the  difficulties  of 
friend^  and  their  fervants  fovith-weftward : 
and  being  often,  engaged  in  fpirit  on  their 

account: 


1-84   T  ^1  E  LIFE  ^       T  R  AVE  L  S 


account,  I  believed  it  my  duty  to  walk  into 
fome  parts  of  the  v/eftern  fliore  of  Mary^ 
laud,  oa  a  religious  vifit:  and  having  ob- 
tained a  certificate  from  friends  of  our  ^pionth^ 
}y-meeting,  I  tooi:  my  leave  of  my  family 
under  the  heart-tendering  operation  of  truth ; 
and  on  the  twentieth  day  of  the  fourth 
month,  1767,  I  rode  to  the  ferry  oppolite  to 
Philadelphia,  and  from  thence  walked*  to 
William  Home's  at  Derby  that  evening ;  and 
ne^t  day  purfued  my' journey  alone,  and 
reached  Concord  week-day  meeting. 

Difcouragements  ^nd  a  weight  of  diftrefs 
had,  8.t  times,  attended  me  in  this  looiefome 
walk  ;  thro'  which  afHi(B:ions,  I  w^as  merci- 
fully preferved  :  and  now  fitting  down  with 
friends,  my  mind  Vv^as  turned  toward  the 
Lord,  to  wait  for  his  holy  leadings ;  whq, 
in  infinite  love,  was  pleafed  to  fofte^  my 
heart  into  humble  contrition,  and  did  re^ 
newedly  flrengthen  me  to  go  forward  ;  that 
to  me  it  was  a  time  pf  heaYeiiiy  refrelhment 
in  a  filent  meeting. 

The  next  day  I  came  to  New-Garden 
week-day  meeting,  in  which  I  fat  with  bow*^ 
ednefs  of  fpirit ;  and  being  baptized  into  a 
feeling  of  the  (late  of  fome  prefent,  the 
Lord  gave  us  a  heart-tendering  feafon  ;  to 
Jiis  name  be  the  praifc, 

I  paiTed  on,  and  was  at  Nottingham  months 
]y-meeting  ;  and  at  a  meeting  at  Little  Bri^ 
tain  on  firft-day  :  and  in  tl^i/C  afternoon  fc^ 
veral  friends  came  to  the  houfc  where  I 

lodged, 


OF   JOHN  WOOL  MAN.  185 


lodged,  and  we  had  a  little  afternoon- meet- 
ing; and  thro'  the  humbling  power  of  truth, 
I  had  to  admire  the  loving-kindnefs  of  the 
Lord  manifefted  to  us. 

On  the  twenty-lixth  day,  I  croflTed  Suf- 
quehannah ;  and  coming  amongft  people  in 
outward  eafe  and  greatnels,  chiefly  on  the 
Jabour  of  ilaves,  my  heart  was  much  affed:- 
cd ;  and  in  awful  retirednefs,  my  mind  was 
gathered  inward  to  the  Lord,  being  humbly 
engaged  that  in  trvie  refignation  I  might  re- 
ceive inftrudlion  from  him,  refpedling  my 
duty  amongft  this  people. 

I'ho'  travelling  on  foot  was  wearifome  to 
my  body;  yet  thus  travelling,  was  agree- 
able to  the  ftate  of  my  mind. 

I  went  gently  on,  being  weakly  ;  and  was 
covered  with  forrow  and  heavinefs,  on  ac- 
count of  the  fpreading  prevailing  fpirit  of 
this  worlds  introducing  cuftoms  grievous  and 
oppreflive  on  one  hand,  and  cherilliing  pride 
and  wantonnefs  on  the  other.  In  this  lonely 
walk,  and  ftate  of  abafement  and  humilia- 
tion, the  ftate  of  the  church  in  thefe  parts 
was  opened  before  me ;  and  I  may  truly  fay 
with  the  prophet,      1  was  bowed  dovi'n  at 

the  hearing  of  it*;  I  was  difmayed  at  the 

feeing  of  it.'*  Under  this  exercife,  I  at- 
tended the  quarterly-meeting  at  Gunpov/- 
der ;  and,  in  bowednefs  of  fpirit,  I  had  to 
open,  with  much  plainnefs,  what  1  felt  re- 
fpe(51:ing  friends  living  in  fullnefs,  on  the  la- 
bours of  the  poor  opprefTed  negroes  ;  and 


i86   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


that  promife  of  the  Moft  High  was  now  re^ 
vived  :  I  will  gather  all  nations  and; 
*V  tongnes  ;  and  they  fhall  come  and  lee  ray 
^-  glory."  —  Here  the  fufFerings  of  Chrift^^ 
and  his  tafting  death  for  every  man,  and  the 
tj:avels,  fufFerings,  and  martyrdoms  of  the 
apollles,  and  primitive  chriftians,  in  labour- 
ing for  the  converfion  of  the  gentiles,  was 
livingly  revived  in  me ;  and  according  to  the 
ineafure  of  ftrength  afforded,  I  laboured  in 
Ibme  tendernefs  of  fpirit,  being  deeply  af- 
fecled  amongfh  them  :  and  thus  the  differ- 
ence between  the  prefent  treatment  which 
thefe  gentiles  the  negroes  receive  at  our 
hands,  and  the  labours  of  the  primitive 
chriftians  for  the  converfion  of  the  gentiles, 
was  preffed  home,  and  the  power  of  truth 
came  over  us  ;  under  a  feeling  of  which, 
my  mind  was  united  to  a  tender-hearted 
people  in  thofe  parts ;  and  the  meeting  con-^ 
eluded  in  a  fenfe  of  God's  goodnefs  toward 
his  humble  dependant  children. 

The  next  day  was  a  general  meeting  foE 
worlhip,  much  crouded ;  in  which  I  was 
deeply  engaged  in  inward  cries  to  the  Lord 
for  help,  that  I  might  ftand  wholly  refigned, 
and  move  only  as  he  might  be  pleafed  to 
lead  me :  and  I  was  mercifully  helped  to  la- 
bour honeflly  and  fervently  amongft  them, 
in  which  I  found  inward  peace ;  and  the  fin^ 
eere  were  comforted. 

From  hence  I  turned  toward  Pipe-Creek, 
and  paffed  qjq  to  the  Red-Lands  j  and  had 

feveral 


OF^^OHN  WOOL  man;     1 8^ 


feveral  meetings  amongft  friends  in  thofe 
parts.  My  heart  v/as  often  tenderly  afFecfl- 
ed,  under  a  fenfe  of  the  Lord's  goodnefs,  ia 
fandtifying  my  troubles  and  exereifes,  turn- 
ing them  to  my  comfort,  and,  I  believe,  tO; 
the  benefit  of  many  others  ;  for,  I  may  fay 
with  thankfulnefs,  that  in  this  vifit,  it  ap-^ 
peared  like  a  frefh  tendering  vilitation  ixt: 
moil  places. 

I  paffed  on  to  the  weftern  quarterly-meet-* 
ing  in  Pennfylvania ;  during  the  feveral  days 
of  this  meeting,  I  was  mercifully  preferved 
in  an  inward  feeling  after  the  mind  of  truth, 
and  my  publick  labovirs  tended  to  my  humi- 
liation, with  which  I  was  content :  and  after 
the  quarterly-meeting  of  worfhip  ended,  I 
felt  drawings  to  go  to  the  women's  meet-* 
ing  of  bufinefs  ;  which  was  very  full :  and 
here  the  humility  of  Jeilis  Chrift,  as  a  pat- 
tern for  us  to  walk  by,  was  livingly  opened 
before  me  ;  and  in  treating  on  it,  my  heart 
was  enlarged  ;  and  it  v/as  a  baptizing  time. 
From  hence  I  went  on;  and  vv^as  at  meet- 
ings at  Concord,  Middletown,  Providence^j 
and  Haddonfield,  and  fo  home ;  where  I 
found  my  family  well.  A  fenfe  of  the  Lord's 
merciful  prefervation  in  this  my  journey,  ex-* 
cites  reverent  thankfulnefs  to  him. 

On  the  fecond  day  of  the  ninth  month^ 
1767,  with  the  imity  of  friends,  I  fet  off 
on  a  vilit  to  friends  in  the  upper  part  of 
Berks  and  Philadelphia  counties  ;  was  at 
eleveu  meetings  ia  about  two .  weeks  j  and 

have 


/ 


.i88    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

have  renewed  caufe  to  bow  in  reverence  b6- 
iore  the  Lord,  who,  by  the  powerful  extend- 
ings  of  his  humbhng  goodnefs,  opened  my 
way  amongft  friends,  and  made  the  meet- 
ings (I  truft)  profitable  to  iis.  And  the  win- 
ter following,  I  joined  friends  on  a  viiit  to 
friends  families,  in  fome  part  of  our  meet- 
ing ;  in  which  exercile,  the  pure  influence 
of  divine  love,  made  our  viiits  reviving. 

.  On  the  fifth  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1768, 
I  left  liome,  vmder  the  humbling  hand  of 
the  Lord,  having  obtained  a  certificate,  in 
order  to  vifit  fome  meetings  in  Maryland  ; 
and  to  proceed  without  a  horfe  looked  clear- 
eft  to  me.  I  was  at  the  quarterly-meetings  at 
Philadelphia  and  Concord;  and  then  went 
on  to  Chefter  river ;  and  crofTmg  the  Bay 
with  friends,  was  at  the  yearly-meeting  at 
Weft-River  :  thence  back  to  Chefter-River;^ 
and  taking  a  few  meetings  in  my  way,  pro- 
ceeded home.  It  was  a  journey  of  much  in- 
ward waiting  ;  and  as  my  eye  was  to  the 
Lord,  v/ay  was,  feveral  times,  opened  to  rny 
humbling  admiration,  when  things  had  ap- 
peared very  difficult.  : . 

In  my  return,  I  felt  a  relief  of  mind,  very 
comfortable  to  me  ;  having,  thro'  divin:e 
help,  laboured  in  much  plainnefs,  both  with 
friends  felecled,  and  in  the  more  publick 
meetings :  fo  that  (I  truft)  the  pure  witnefs, 
in  many  minds,  was  reached. 

The  eleventh  day  of  the  fixth  montli, 
1769.    Sundry  cafes  have  happened  of  k^e 


or  JOHN  WOOLMAN.  189 

years,  within  the  limits  of  our 
meeting,  refpecfling  that  of  exercifing  pure 
righteoufiiefs  toward  the  negroes ;  in  whicK 
I  have  lived  under  a  labour  of  heart,  that 
equity  might  be  fteadily  kept  to.  On  thi^ 
account,  I  have  had  fome  clofe  exercifes 
amongfl  friends  ;  in  which,  I  may  thank^ 
fully  fay,  I  find  peace  :  and  as  my  medita- 
tions have  been  on  univerflil  love,  my  own 
Gondudl  in  time  paft,  became  of  late  very 
grievous  to  me.  '  ^ 

As  perfons  fetting  negroes  free  in  our  pro- 
vince, are  bound  by  law  to  maintain  them, 
in  cafe  they  have  need  of  relief;  fome  whcr 
fcrupled  keeping  flaves  for  term  of  life,  in  the 
time  of  my  youth,  were  wont  to  detain 
their  young  negroes  in  their  fervice  till  thir- 
ty years  of  age,  without  wages,  on  that  ac- 
count :  and  with  this  cuflom  I  fo  far  agreed^ 
that  I,  being  joined  to  another  friend,  in' 
executing  the  will  of  a  deceafed  friend,  once 
IbM  a  negro  lad  till  he  might  attain  the  agef 
oi  thirty  years,  and  applied  the  money  to^ 
the  ufe  of  the  eftate. 

With  abafement  of  heart,  I  may  now  fay^^ 
that  fometimes,  as  I  have  fet  in  a  meeting, 
with  my  heart  exercifed  toward  that  awfuF 
Being,  who  refpecletli  not  perfons  nor  co- 
lours, and  have  looked  upon  this  lad,  I  have 
felt  that  all  was  not  clear  in  my  mind  re-^ 
fpe6ling  him  :  and  as  I  have  attended  to  thi.9 
exereile,  and  fervently  fought  the  Lord,  it 
hath  appeared  to  me,  that  I  fhould  make 

fome 


■tgo         E  LIFE'  a'n d  TRAVELS 

feme  reftitution,  but  in  what  way  I  faw  not 
till  lately;  when  being  under  fome  concern^ 
that  I  may  be  refigned  to  go  on  a  vifit  to 
fome  part  of  the  Weft-Indies  ;  and  was  un- 
der clofe  engagement  of  fpirit,  feeking  to  the 
Lord  for  counfel  herein  :  that  of  my  joining 
-in  the  fale  aforefaid,  came  heavily  upon  me; 
and  my  mind,  for  a  time,  was  covered  with 
darknefs  and  forrow  ;  and  under  this  fore 
affliction,  my  heart  was  foftened  to  receive 
inftru(5lion  :  and  here  I  fir  ft  law,  that  as  I 
had  been  one  of  the  two  executors,  who 
had  fold  this  lad  nine  years  longer  than  is 
common  for  our  own  children  to  lerve,  lb  I 
vlhould  now  offer  a  part  of  my  fubftance  to 
redeem  the  laft  half  of  that  nin6  years  ;  but 
as  the  time  was  not  yet  come,  I  executed  a 
bond,  binding  me,  and  my  executors,  to 
pay  to  the  man  he  was  fold  to,  what  to  can- 
did men  might  appear  equitable,  for  the 
laft  four  years  and  a  half  of  his  time,  in 
cafe  the  faid  youth  fhould  be  living,  and  in  a 
condition  likely  to  provide  comfortably  for 
himfelf. 

The  ninth  day  of  the  tenth  month,  1769. 
My  heart  hath  often  been  deeply  afflicted 
under  a  feeling  I  have  had,  that  the  ftand- 
ard  of  pure  righteoufnefs,  is  not  lifted  up  to 
the  people  by  u.s,  as  a  fociety,  in  that  clear- 
nefs  which  it  might  have  been,  had  we  been 
fp  faitl>ful  to  the  teachings  of  Chrift,  as  we 
ought  to  have  been  :  and  as  my  mind  hath 
been  inward  to  the  Lord,  the  purity  of 

ChriftV. 


Bra^JQHN  WOOL  MAN.  19* 

-  Chrift's  government  hath  been  opened  in  my 
■underftanding  ;  and  under  this  exercife,  that 
^<)f  friends  being  active  in  civil  fociety,  in 
putting  laws  in  force  w^hich  are  not  agree- 
able to  the  purity  of  righteoufnefs,  hath, 
for  feveral  years,  been  an  increafing  bur- 
Ttliea :  upon  me  ;  having  felt,  in  the  opeiv- 
Ifdgs  of  univerfal  love,  that  where  a  people 
^convinced  of  the  truth  of  the  inward  teach- 
.ings  of  Chrift,  are  a(5live  in  putting  laws  in 
execution,   w^hich  are  not  confillent  with 
pure  wifdom,  it  hath  a  neceffary  tendency  tSo 
bring  dimnefs  over  their  minds  :  and  as  my 
heart  hath  been  thus  exercifed,  and  a  tender 
fympathy  in  me  toward  my  fellow  members, 
1  have,  within  a  few  months  paft,  in  feveral 
meetings  for  difcipline,  expreffed  my  con-* 
j^cera  on  this  fubjedt* 

^  oi  bn£ 
jof  YidKj'iOi 


C  H  A  P. 


cxj  q0  be: 


ig2    The  LIFE  Af^o  TRAVELS 


CHAP  X. 


/  tf'pder  fame  bodily  indifpofdhn^  his  hody^  by 
/  ahjlinence^  much  ^^eakmed  ;  and  his  mind ^ 
at  that  time^  exercijed  for  the  good  of  the 
people  in  the  Wejl- Indies  —  His  cfter^wards 
communicating  to  friends  his  being  refgyted 
to  ^ifit  fome  of  thefc  ijlands  —  The  fate  of 
his  7mndy  and  the  clofe  corf  derations  be  ivas 
led  intOy  while  under  this  exercife  —  His 
preparatiofis  to  embark^  and  his  conf  derations, 
on  the  trade  to  theje  ifands ;  and  his  being y 
ivhen  the  vejfel  ivas  ready  to  faily  releafed 

•  .  from  the  concern  he  had  been  under  — —  His 
religious  engagements  after  his  return  home 
—  His  f  chiefs^  in  ivhich  he  %vas  brought  to 
a  'very  loiv  fate  ;  and  the  profpects  he  thin 
hadC] 

/  rr-^HE  twelfth  day  of  the  third  months 
^  JL  having,  for  fome  years  paft,  dieted 
myfelf  on  account  of  a  kimp  gathering  on 
my  nofe  ;  under  this  diet,  I  grew  weak  in 
body,  and  not  of  abihty  to  travel  by  land 
as  heretofore:  I  was,  at  times,  favoured  to 
look  with  awfulnefs  toward  the  Lord,  before 
whom  are  all  my  w^ays,  w^ho  alone  hath  the 
p^vsT-er  of  life  and  death ;  and  to  feel  thankful- 
hefs  raifed  in  me,  for  this  his  fatherly  chaftife- 
ment,  believing,  if  I  was  truly  humbled  un- 
der 


b  F    J  O  H  N    WOOL  M  A  N.  193 

kier  it,  all  would  work  for  good.  While  I 
was  vinder  this  bodily  weakiiefs,  my  mind 
being,  at  times,  exercifed  for  my  ft^llow- 
creatm^es  in  the  Weft-Indies,  I  grev/  jealous 
over  myfelf,  left  the  difagreeablenefs  of  the 
profpecl  Ihould  hinder  me  from  obediently 
attending  thereto :  for  tlio'  I  knev/  not  that 
the  Lord  required  me  to  go  there ;  yet  I  be- 
lieved, that  reiignation  was  now  called  for 
in  that  refpecl  :  a.nd  feeling  a  danger  of  not 
being  wholly  devoted  to  him,  I  was  fre-^ 
quentiy  engaged  to  watch  unto  prayer,  that 
I  might  be  preferved  ;  and  upwards  of  a  year 
having  paiTed,  I  walked  one  day  in  a  foli-^ 
ry  wood,  my  mind  being  covered  with  awful-- 
nefs,  cries  w^ere  raifed  in  me  to  my  merciful 
Father,  that  he  would  gracioully  keep  me  in 
faithfulnefs  ;  and  it  then  fettled  oil  my  mind 
as  a  duty,  to  open  my  condition  to  friends; 
at  *our  monthly-^meeting  ;  which  I  diji  foon 
after,  as  follows : 

An  exercife  hath  attended  me  for  fome 
'  time  paft,  and  of  late  been  more  weighty 
upon  me  ;  under  which,  T  believe  it  is  re- 
quired of  me  to  be  refigned  to  go  on  a  vifit 
to  fome  part  of  the  Weft-Indies  and  in  the 
quarterly  and  general  fpring  meeting,  '  I 
found  no  clearnels  to  exprefs  any  thing  fuf-- 
ther,  than  that  I  believed  reiignation  herein  ' 
was  required  of  me  ;  and  having  obtained 
Certificates  from  all  faid  meetings,  I  felt  like 
a  fojourner  at  my  outward  habitation,  kept 
free  from  worldly  encumbrances,  and  was 

O  often: 


J94   The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 

often  bowed  in  fpiiit  before  "the  Rord,  with 
inward  breathings  to  him,  thai:  1  might  be 
rightly  dire (?l:ed.  And  I  may  here  note,  that 
what  I  have ^  before,  related  of  my  being, 
when  young,  joined  as  an  executor  with  an- 
^  other  friend,  in  executing  the  will  of  the 
deceafed,  our  having  fold  a  negro  lad  till  he 
might  attain  the  age  of  thirty  years,  was 
now  the  occafion  of  great  forrow  to  me  :  and 
after  having  fettled  matters  relating  to  this 
youth,  I  provided  a  fea-ftore  and  bed,  and 
things  for  the  voyage  ;  and  hearing  of  a 
veffel  likely  to  fail  from  Philadelphia  for  Bar- 
badoes,  I  fpake  with  one  of  the  owners  at 
Burlington,  and  foon  after  went  to  Phila- 
delphia on  purpofe  to  fpeak  v/ith  him  again ; 
at  w^hich  time  he  told  me,  there  was  a  frien^^l 
in  town  who  was  part  owner  of  the  faid 
veffel ;  but  I  felt  no  inclination  to  fpeak  with 
him,  but  returned  home :  and  a  while  after, 
I  took  leave  of  my  family  ;  and  going  to  Phi- 
ladelphia, had  fome  weighty  converiation 
with  the  firit-mentioned  ow^ner,  and  fhewed 
hirn  a  writing,  as  follows  : 

On  the  twenty- fifth  day  of  the  eleventh 
month,  1769,  as  an  exercife,  with  refpedl 
to  a  vifit  to  Barbadoes,  hath  been  wxighty 
on  rny  mind,  I  may  exprefs  fome  of  the 
tryals  which  have  attended  me  ;  under  thefe 
tryals  I  have,  at  times,  rejoiced,  in  that  I 
have  felt  my  own  felf-will  liibjected." 

''  I  once,  lome  years  ago,  retailed  rum, 
fugar,  and  molailes,  the  fruits  of  the  labour 

of 


OF    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  iM  A  N.  19^^ 


of  flaves  ;  but  then,  had  riot  much  concern 
about  them,  fave  only  that  the  rum  might 
be  ufed  in  moderation ;  nor  was  this  concern 
fo  weightily  attended  to,  as  I  now  believe  it 
ought  to  have  been :  but  of  late  years  being 
further  informed,  refpedling  the  oppreifions 
too  generally  exercifed  in  thcfe  iflands,  and 
thinking  often  on  the  degrees  that  are  in 
connections  of  intereft  and  fellowfhip  with 
the  works  of  darkriefs,  Ephe.  v.  11.  And 
feeling  an  increafing  concern  to  be  wholly 
given  up  to  the  leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
it  hath  appeared,  that  the  fmall  gain  I  got 
by  this  branch  of  trade,  fliould  be  applied 
in  promoting  righteoufnefs  on  the  earth  ;  and 
were  the  firft  motion  toward  a  vifit  to  Bar- 
badoes :  I  believed  the  outward  fiibftance  I 
poflefs  fhould  be  applied  in  paying  my  paf- 
fage,  if  I  go,  and  providing  things  in  a  low- 
ly way  for  my  fubfiftance  ;  but  when  the 
time  drew  near,  in  which,  I  believed,  it  re- 
quired of  me  to  be  in  readinefs,  a  difficulty 
arofe,  which  hath  been  a  continued  tryal  for 
fome  months  pall ;  under  which,  I  have, 
with  abafement  of  mind,  from  day  to  day, 
fought  the  Lord  for  inftrudiion ;  and  often 
had  a  feeling  of  the  condition  of  one  for- 
merly, who  bewailed  himfelf,  fo^^  that  the 
Lord  hid  his  face  from  him.- — During  thefe 
exercifes,  my  heart  hath  been  often  contrite; 
and  I  have  had  a  tender  feeling  of  the  temp- 
tations of  my  fellow-creatures,  labouring  un- 
der thofe  expenfive  cuftoms  diflinguilhable 

O-  2  from 


t 


ig6  The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


from  the  firaplicity  that  there  is  in  Ghrift,  2 
Cor.  ii.  3.  and  fometimes  in  the  renewings  o£ 
golpel  love,  have  been  helped  to  minifter  to 
others.'^ 

^'  That  which  hath  fo  clofely  engaged  my 
mind,  in  feeking  to  the  Lord  for  infcruclion 
is,  whether,  after  fo  full  information  of  the 
oppreiTion  the  flaves  in  the  Wefl-Indies  he 
under,  who  raife  the  Weft-India  produce,  as 
I  had  in  reading  a  caution  and  warning  to 
Great-Britain  and  her  colonies,  wrote  by 
Anthony  Benezet)  it  is  right  for  nie  to  take 
a  paffage  in  a  veflel,  employed  in  the  Weft-^ 
India  trade?''  .  v 

''To  trade  freely  with  opprefFors,  and  with-* 
out  labouring  to  difTuade  from  ftich  unkind 
treatment,  feek  for  gain  by  fuch  trafEek^ 
tends,  I  believe,  to  make  them  more  eafy, 
refpe(^l:ing  their  condu6l,  than  they  v/ould 
be,  if  the  caufe  of  univerfal  righteoufneJfe; 
was  humbly  and  firmly  attended  to,  by  thofe 
in  general  with  whom  they  have  commerce ; 
and  that  complaint  of  the  Lord  by  his  pro- 
phet, "  They  have  ftrengthened  the  hands 
''  of  the  wicked,''  hath  very  often  revived, 
in  my  mincl ;  and  I  may  here  add  fome  cir-^ 
cumftances  preceding  any  profped;  of  a  vi- 
fit  there  :  the  cale  of  David  hath  often  been 
before  me  of  late  years  :  he  longed  for  fome 
water  in  a  well  beyond  an  army  of  Philif- 
tines,  at  war  with  Ifrael ;  and  fome  of  his 
men,  ^o  pleaie  him,  ventured  their  lives  in 
paijing  thro'  this  army,  and  brought  that 
water/'  It 


G  F    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  197 

It  doth  not  appear  that  the  Iiraelites  were 
then  fcarce  of  water^  but  rather,  that  Da- 
vid  gave  way  to  dehcacy  of  tafte  ;  but  hav- 
ing thought  oa  the  danger  thefe  men  were 
expofed  to,  he  conlidered  this  water  as  their 
blood,  and  his  heari:  fmote  hirn  that  he  could 
not  drink  it,  but  poured  it  out  to  the  Lord, 
And  zlit  oppreiTion  of  the  flaves,  v/hich  I 
have  feefi  in  feveral  journies  fouthward,  011 
this  continent,  and  the  report  of  their  treat-^ 
ment  in  the  Weil-Indies  hath  deeply  affcdl- 
ed  me  :  and  a  care  to  live  in  the  foiri"  of 
peace,  and  minifter  juft  c?aife  of  offence  to 
none  of  my  fellow-creatures,  hath,  from 
time  to  time,  livingly  revived  on  my  mind  ; 
and  under  this  exercife,  I,  for  fome  years 
paft,  declined  to  gratify  my  palate  v/ith  thoih 
iligars/' 

"  I  do  not  cenfure  my  brethren  in  thefe 
things  ;  but  believe  the  Father  of  mercies, 
to  whom  all  mankind  by  creation  are  equal- 
ly related,  hath  heard  the  groans  of  tLefe 
oppreifed  people  ;  and  is  preparing  fbon  to 
have  a  tender  feeling  of  their  condition  :  and 
the  trading  in,  or  frequent  ufe  of,  any  pro- 
duce knovv^n  to  be  raifed  by  the  labours  of 
thefe  vv^ho  are  under  flich  lamentvable  oppref«« 
fion,  hath  appeared  tq  be  a  fubjedl  which 
may  yet  more  require  the  ferious  conirdera- 
tion  of  the  humble  followers  of  Chriftj  the 
prince  of  peace." 

After  long  and  mournful  exercife,  I  am 
now  free  to  mention  how  thiiijs  have  open- 
'    •  ed 


198    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


ed  in  my  mind,  with  defires  that  if  it  may 
pleafe  the  Lord,  to  further  open  his  will  to  ' 
any  of  his  children  in  this  matter,  they  may 
faithfully  follow  him  in  fuch  further  mani-^ 
fcftation." 

The  number  of  thofe  who  decline  the 
life  of  the  Weft-India  produce,  on  account  of 
the  hard  ufage  of  the  flaves  who  raife  it,  ap- 
pears fmall,  even  amongfc  people  truly  pi- 
ous ;  and  the  labours  in  chriftian  love,  01^ 
that  fabjedl,  of  thofe  who  do,  not  very  ex- 
tenfive." 

Were  the  trade  from  this  continent  to 
the  Weft-Indies  to  be  quite  ftopped  at  once,  I 
believe  many  there  would  fafter  for  want  of 
bread.'' 

Did  v/e  on  this  continent,  and  the  in- 
habitants of  the  W eft-Indies,  generally  dwell 
in  pure  righteoufnefs,  I  believe  a  fmall  trade 
between  us  might  be  right :  that  under  thefe 
conlicierations,  when  the  thoughts  of  wholly 
declining  the  ufe  of  trading  veflels,  and  of 
trying  to  hire  a  veiTel  to  go  under  ballaft 
have  arole  in  my  mind,  I  have  believed  that 
the  labours  in  gofpel  love,  yet  beftowed  in 
the  caufe  of  univerfal  righteoufnefs,  are  not 
arrived  to  that  height/' 

If  the  trade  to  the  Weft-Indies  were  no 
more  than  was  conliftent  with  pure  wifdom, 
I  believe  the  paiTage-money  would,  for  good 
reafons,  be  higher  than  it  is  now;  and  here, 
imder  deep  exercife  of  mind,  I  have  believed, 
that  I  i]K:uld  not  take  the  advantage  of  this 
great  trade,  and  fmall  paftage-money  ;  but 
'  as 


o  r  ^  J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  199 

■-f^;.m  tr'i-;  -^irf^ 
as  a  teftimony  in  favour  of  lefs  trading, 

lliould  pay  more  than  is  common  for  others 

to  pay,  if  I  go  at  this  tim'e/' 

The  firft-mentioned  ov/ner  having  read 
the  paper,  expreffed  a  wilhngnefs  to  go  with 
me  to  the  other  owner  ;  and  we  going,  the 
faid  other  owner  read  over  the  paper,  and 
v/e  had  fome  fohd  converfation  ;  under 
which,  I  felt  my  foul  bowed  in  reverence 
before  the  Moft-High  :  and,  at  length,  one 
of  them  allied  me,  if  I  would  go  and  fee  the 
vefTel  ?  but  I  had  not  cleamefs  in  my  mind 
to  go  ;  but  went  to  my  lodgings,  and  re- 
tired in  private. 

I  vv^as  now  under  great  exercife  of  mind  ; 
and  my  tears  were  poured  out  before  the 
Lord,  with  inward  cries,  that  he  vvould  gra- 
ciouily  help  me  under  thefe  trials. 

In  this  cafe,  I  believe  my  mind  was  re- 
figned,  but  did  not  feel  clearnefs  to  pro- 
ceed; and  my  ovv^n  weaknefs,  and  the  necef- 
fity  of  divine/ inftx^uiftion,  w^as  impreiTcd  up- 
on me. 

I  was,  for  a  time,  as  one  who  knew  not 
what  to  do,  and  v/as  toiled  as  in  a  tempeft; 
under  which  affliction,  the  dQclrine  of  Chrift 

Take  no  thought  for  the  moiTow,''  arofe 
livingly  before  me.  I  remembered  it  Vv^as 
fome  days  before  they  expected  the  veiiel  to 
fail,  and  was  favoured  to  get  into  a  good 
degree  of  ftillnefs  ;  and  having  been  near 
two  days  in  town,  I  believe  my  obedience  to 
mj  heavenly  Father  confifced  in  returning 

home-* 


200    1^^j:||jIf|;^N/p  TRAVELS 

homewar^  }  aud  then  I  went  ever  amongft 
fnencls  on  the  Jerfey  jfliore,  and  tarried  till 
the  morning  on  wliich  they  had  appointed 
to  fail  :  and  as  I  lay  in  bed  the  latter  part 
of  that  night,  my  rnind  was  comforted  ;  and 
I  felt  what  I  efteemed  a  frelli  confirmation, 
that  it  was  the  Lord^s  will,  that  I  fliould 
pais  through  fbme  further  exercifes  near 
home. 

So  I  went  home,  and  flill  felt  like  a  fo- 
jonrncr  with  my  family  :  and  in  the  frefli 
fpring  of  pmx  love,  had  forne  labom^s  in  a 
private  v,^ay  amongft  friends,  on  a  fabjecfi: 
relating  to  truth's  tefdmony  ;  luider  vvdiich, 
I  had  frequently  been  exercifed  in  heart  for 
fome  years.  I  remember,  as  I  walked  on  the 
road  under  this  exercife,  that  paiTage  in  Eze- 
kiel  came  frefli  before  me:  Whitherfoever 

their  faces  were  turned,  thither  they  \vent.'' 
and  I  was  gracioufly  helped  to  difcharge  my 
duty,  in  the  fear  and  dread  of  the  Al- 
mighty. 

After  a  few  weeks,  it  pleafecl  the  Lord  to 
vifit  mc  with  a  pleurify  ;  and  after  I  had 
lain  a  few  clays,  and  felt  the  diforder  very 
grievous,  I  vv^as  thoughtful  how  it  might 
end.  ^ 

I  had  of  late,  through  various  exercifes, 
been  much  Vv^eaned  from  the  pleafant  things 
of  this  life ;  and  I  now  thought,  if  it  v/as 
the  Lord's,  will  to  piit  an  end  to  my  labours, 
and  gracioufly  receive  me  into  the  arms  of 
lii3  mencYi,  death  would  be  acceptable  to  me ; 


PF    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  201 


b\it^*if  it  was  his  will  to  farther  refine  me 
under  affliclion,  and  mak;e  me,  in  any  de- 
gree, itfeful  in  his  church,  I  dehred  not  to 
^ie.'  I  may,  with  thankfuhiefs,  fay,  that 
in  this  cafe  I  felt  refignednefs  wrought  in 
me,  and  had  no  inchnatipn  to  fend  for  a 
doclor ;  beheving,  if  it  was  the  Lord's  will, 
thro'  outward  means,  to  raife  me  up,  fome 
fympathizing  friends  would  be  fent  to  mini- 
fter  to  me  ;  which  were  accordingly  :  but 
though  I  was  carefully  attended,  yet  the  dif- 
order  was,  at  times,  fo  heavy,  that  I  had 
no  thoughts  of  recovery  :  one  night  in  par- 
ticular, my  bodily  diftrefs  was  great ;  my  feet 
grew  cold,  and  cold  increafed  u.p  my  legs 
toward  my  body;  and,  at  that  tirr^,  I  had 
no  inclination  to  aflc  my  nurfe  to  apply  any- 
thing warm  to  my  feet,  expedting  my  end 
was  near:  and  after  I  had  lain  near  ten  hours 
in  this  condition,  I  clofed  my  eyes,  thinking  ' 
whether  I  might  now  be  delivered  out  of  the 
body ;   but  in  thefe  awful  moments,  my 
mind  was  livingly  opened  to  behold  the 
church  ;  and  ftrong  engagements  were  be- 
gotten in  me,  for  the  everlafting  well-being 
of  my  fellow-creatures:  and  I  felt,  in  the 
fpring  of  pure  love,  that  I  might  remain 
fome  time  longer  in  the  body,  in  filling  up, 
according  to  my  rneafure,  that  which  re- 
mains of  the  affKcftions  of  Chrift,  and  in  la- 
bouring for  the  good  of  the  church  ;  after 
which,  I  requefled  my  nurfe  to  apply  warmth 
fo  my  feet  j  and  I  revived  :  and  the  next 


^br"  The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


night,  feeling  a  weighty  exercife  of  fpirit, 
afid  having  a  fohd  friend  fitting  tip  with  me, 
I  Tequefted  him  to  write  what  I  faid  ;  which 
hfe^did,  as  follows  : 

Fourth  day  of  the  fxrft  month,  1770, 
aBout'five  in  the  morning. — I  have  feen  in 
the  Light  of  the  Lord,  that  the  day  is  ap- 
proaching, when  the  man  that  is  the  moft 
wife  in  human  policy,  fhall  be  the  greateft 
faoT ;  and  the  arm  that  is  mighty  to  fupport 
injuftice,  fliall  be  broken  to  pieces :  the  ene- 
mies of  righteoufnefs  fliall  make  a  terrible 
rattle,  and  fhall  mightily  torment  one  ano- 
ther for  lie  that  is  omnipotent  is  rifing  vip 
to  judgment,  and  will  plead  the  caufe  of  the 
cppreffed  ;  and  he  commanded  me  to  open 
the  Viiion/' 

Near  a  week  after  this,  feeling  my  mind 
livingly  opened,  I  fent  for  a  neighbour, 
who,  at  my  requeft,  wrote  as  follows  : 

The  place  of  prayer  is  a  precious  habi- 
tation ;  for  I  now  faw  that  the  prayers  of 
the  faints  was  precious  incenfe :  and  a  trum- 
pet was  given  me,  that  I  might  found  forth 
this  language  ;  that  the  children  might  hear 
it,  and  be  invited  together  to  this  precious 
habitation,  where  the  prayers  of  the  faints, 
as  precious  incenfe,  arifeth  up  before  the 
throne  of  God  and  the  Lamlp — I  faw  this 
habitation  to  be  faf?;  to  be  inwardly  quiet, 
Vv^hen  there  were  great  ftirrings  and  commo- 
tions in  the  vrorld/' 

Prayer, 


OF    JOHN    W  O  O  L  MAN.    205  > 

Prayer,  at  this  day,  in  pure  refignation, 
is  a  precious  place  :  the  trumpet  is  founded^  * 
the  call  goes  forth  to  the  church,  that  £he  - 
gather  to  the  place  of  pure  invv^ard  prayer; 
and  her  habitatioi>  is  fafe/'7 


C  H  A  p;  XL 

His  preparing  to  %)iftt  friends  in  England — His 
embarking  at  Cheftcr^  in  company  njoith  Sa- 
muel Emlen^  in  a  Jhip  hound  to  London — His 
deep  exercife^  in  obferving  the  difficulties  and 
hardjldips  the  common  Jailors  are  expofed  to — • 
Coiifiderations  on  the  dangers  to  uuhich  youth 
are  expofed^  in  being  trained  to  a  fea-faring 
life ;  and  its  inconftfency  with  a  pious  educa- 
tion —  His  thoughts  in  a  form  at  fea  :  ivith 
7nany  infruBive  contemplations  on  the  voyage 
— And  his  arrival  at  London. 

I HAVING  been  fome  time  under  a  reli«- 
A  gious  concern  to  prepare  for  croffing '  - 
the  feas,  in  order  to  vifit  friends  in  the  north- 
ern parts  of  England,  and  more  particularly 
in  Yorkfliire  :  after  weighty  confideration,  I 
thought  it  expedient  to  infarm  friends,  at  our 

monthly-? 


26$-  The  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


monthly-meedng  at  Burlington,  of  it ;  wlio^ 
having  unity  with  me  therein,  gave  me  a 
certificate  ;  and  I  afterwards  communicated 
the  fame  to  oar  quarterly-meeting,  and  they 
likewife  certified  their  concurrence  therewith. 
Sometime  after  which,  at  the  general  fpring- 
meeting  of  minifters  and  elders,  I  thought 
it  my  duty  to  acquaint  them  of  the  religious 
exercife  which  attended  my  mind  ;  with 
which,  they  likewife  fignified  their  unity  by 
a  dated  the  twenty-fourth  day  of 

the  §g^vmonth,  1772,  direded  to  friends 
in  Great-Britain, 

■  In  the  fourth  month  following,  I  thought 
the  time  was  come  for  me  to  make  fome  en- 
quiry for  a  lliitable  conveyance ;  being  ap- 
prehenfive,  that  as  my  concern  was  princi- 
pally toward  the  northern  parts  of  England^ 
it  would  be  mod  proper  to  go  in  a  veiTel 
bound  to  Liverpool  or  Whitehaven :  and 
while  I  vvras  at  Philadelphia,  deliberating  on 
thi:-  occafion,  I  was  informed,  that  my  belov- 
ed friend  Samuel  Emlen,  jun.  intending  to 
go  to  London  ;  and  having  taken  a  paifage 
for  lilmfelf'in  the  cabbin  of  the  fiiip,  called 
Mary  and  Elizabeth,  of  which  James  Sparks 
was  mafter,  and  John  Llead,  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  Que  of  the  owners ;  and  I  feel- 
ing a  draft  in  ixiy  mind  toward  the  fleerage 
of  the  fame  ihip,  w^nt  firft  and  opened  to 
Samuel  the  feeling  I  had  concerning  it. 

My  beloved  friend  wept  when  I  fpake  tor 
him,  and  appeared  glad  that  I  had  thoughts 


o  P    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  105 


of  going  in  the  veflel  with  him,  though  my 
proipedl  was  toward  the  fteerage  ;  and  he 
offeri ag  to  go  with  me,  w^e  went  on  board, 
firil  into  the  cabbin,  a  commodious  room, 
and  then  into  the  lleerage  ;  where  we  fat 
down  on  a  chefl,  the  failors  being  bufy 
about  us  :  then  the  owner  of  the  fhip  came, 
ajiid  fat  down  with  us. 

Here  my  mind  was  turned  toward  Chrift, 
the  heavenly  counfellor  ;  and  I  feehng,  at 
this  time,  my  own  will  fubjedled,  my  heart- 
was  contrite  before  him. 

A  motion  was  made  by  the  owner,  to  go 
and  fet  in  the  cabbin,  as  a  place  more  re-^ 
tired  ;  but  I  felt  eafy  to  leave  the  ihip,  and 
made  no  agreement  as  to  a  palTage  in  her  j 
but  told  the  owner,  if  I  took  a  paffage  in  the 
fhip,  I  believed  it  would  be  in  the  fteerage; 
but  did  not  fay  much  as  to  my  exercife  in 
that  cafe. 

After  I  went  to  my  lodgings,  and  the  cafe 
was  a  little  known  in  town,  a  friend  laid  be- 
fore me  the  great  inconvenience  attending  9. 
paifage  in  the  fteerage  ;  which,  for  a^  time, 
appeared  very  difcouraging  to  me. 

I  foon  after  v/ent  to  bed,  and  my  mind 
was  under  a  deep  exercife  before  the  Lord ; 
v/hofe  helping  hand  was  manifefted  to  me 
as  I  flept  that  nighty  and  his  love  ftrengthen- 
ed  my  heart:  and  in  the  morning,  I  went 
v/ith  two  friends  on  board  the  veftel  again  j 
and  after  a  fliort  time  fpent  therein,  I  went 
with  Samuel  Emlen  to  the  houfe  of  the 

owner ; 


2o6    The  Life  a?^d  ^ttiVtLS" 

ownef ;  to  whom,  in  the  hearing  of  Samuel 
only^  I  opened  my  exercife,  in  fubftance  as 
follows,  in  relation  to  a  fcruple  I  felt  with 
regard  to  a  paflage  in  the  cabbin  : 

I  told  the  owner,  that  on  the  outfide  of 
that  part  of  the  fhip  where  the  cabbin  was, 
I  obferved  fundry  forts  of  carved  work  and 
imagery ;  and  that  in  the  cabbin  I  obferved 
fome  fuperfluity  of  workmanfhip  of  feveral 
forts;  and  that  according  to  the  Ways  of 
men's  reckoning,  the  fum  of  money  to  be 
paid  for  a  paffage  in  that  apartment,  hath 
fbme  relation  to  the  expence  in  furnilhing  it 
to  pleafe  the  minds  of  fuch  who  give  way  to 
a  conformity  to  this  world ;  and  that  in  this 
cafe,  as  in  other  cafes,  the  monies  received 
from  the  palTengers,  are  calculated  to  anfwer 
every  expence  relating  to  their  paffage,  and 
amongft  the  reft  of  thefe  fuperiluities  :  and 
that  in  this  cafe,  I  felt  a  fcrviple  with  regard 
to  paying  my  money  to  defray  fuch  ex-^-, 
pences. 

As  my  mind  was  now  opened,  I  told  the 
owner,  that  I  had,  at  feveral  times  in  my 
travels,  feen  great  oppreffions  on  this  conti-- 
nent;  at  which  my  heart  had  been  much, 
affedled,  and  broiight  into  a  feeling  of  the, 
ftate  of  the  fufferers.  And  having  many 
times  been  engaged,  in  the  fear  and  love  of 
God,  to  labour  with  thofe  under  whom  the 
opprefled  have  been  borne  down  ^nd  afilidl- 
ed ;  I  have  often  perceived,  that  a  view  to 
get  riches,  and  provide  eftates  for  children, 

to 


/ 


to  live  conformable  to  cuftoms,  whicli  fta^ 
in  that  fpirit  wherein  men  haye  regard  to 
the  honours  of  this  world— that  in  the  pur- 
fuit  of  thefe  things,  IJiad  feen  many  .entan-* 
gled  in  the  fpirit  of  oppreffioh  ;  ani  the  ex- 
ercife  of  my  foul  had  been  fuch,  that  I  coul(^ 
not  find  peace,  in  joining  in  any  thing  which 
I  faw  was  againil  that  wifdom  which  is 
pure. 

After  this,  I  agreed  for  a  paiTage  in  the 
fteerage  ;  and  hearing  in  town  that  Jofeph 
White  had  a  defire  to  fee  me,  I  felt  the  re- 
viving of  a  defire  to  fee  him,  and  went  thegi 
to  his  houfe,  and  next  day  home ;  where  j[ 
tarried  two  nights:  and  then  early  in  the 
morning,  I  parted  with  my  family,  under 
a  fenfe  of  the  humbling  hand  of  God  uppiji 
me ;  and  going  to  Philadelphia,  had  oppor7 
tunity  with  feveral  of  my  beloved  friends  j 
who  appeared  to  be  concerned  for  me,  pi| 
account  of  the  unpleafant  fituation  of  that 
part  of  the  veflTel,  where  I  was  likely  tg 
lodge. 

In  thefe  opportunities,  my  mind,  througl^ 
the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  was  kept  low,  in^ 
an  inward  waiting  for  his  help  ;  and  friends 
having  expreffed  their  defire,  that  I  might 
have  a  place  more  convenient  than  the  fleer- 
age,  did  not  urge,  but  appeared  difpofed  to^ 
leave  me  to  the  Lord. 

Having  flayed  two  nights  in  Philadelphia, 
I  went  the  next  day  to  Derby  monthly-meet- 
ing ;  where,  through  the  ftrength  of  divine. 

love, 


2o8    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


love,  my  heart  was  enlarged  toward  the 
youth  then  prefent  ;  under  which  1  was 
helped  to  labour  in  fome  tendernefs  of  fpi- 
rit.  Then  lodging  at  William  Home's,  I, 
with  one  friend,  went  ■  to  Ghefter  ;  where 
meeting  with  Samuel  Emlen,  we  went  on 
board  the  lirft  day  of  the  fifth  month,  1772  : 
and  as  I  fat  down  alone,  on  a  feat  on  the 
deck,  I  felt  a  fatisfadlory  evidence,  that  my 
proceedings  were  not  in  my  own  will,  but 
under  the  power  of  the  crofs  of  Chriil. 

Seventh  day  of  the  fifth  month :  have  had 
rough  weather,  moflly  fince  I  came  on 
board  ;  and  the  palTengers,  James  Reynolds^ 
John  Till  Adams,  Sarah  Logan  and  her 
hired  maid,  and  John  Bifpham,  all  fea-fick, 
more  or  lefs,  at  times from  vs^hich  ficknefs, 
thro'  the  tender  mercies  of  my  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, I  have  been  preferved :  my  aifiiclions 
now  being  of  another  kind. 

There  appeared  an  opennefs  in  the  minds 
of  the  mailer  of  the  fhip  and  in  the  cabbiri 
pafTengers  toward  me  ;  we  were  often  toge- 
ther on  the  deck,  and  fometimes  in  the  cab- 
bin. 

My  mind,  thro'  the  merciful  help  of  the 
Lord,  hath  been  preferved  in  a  good  degree 
watchful,  and  inward;  and  have,  this  day, 
great  caufe  to  be  thankful,  in  that  I  remain 
to  feel  quietnefs  of  mind. 

As  my  lodgings  in  the  fteerage,  now  near 
a  week,  hath  afforded  me  fundry  opportu- 
nities of  feeing,  hearing,  and  feeling,  with 

refpecfe 


refpedl  to  the  Kfe-  and  fpirit  of  many  poor 
failors :  an  inward  exercile  of  ionl  hath  at- 
tended ms&,  in  regard  to  placing  out  children 
and  youth  where  they  may  be  likely  to  be 
examplcd  and  inftrudled  in  the  pure  fear  of 
the  Lord  ;  and  I  being  much  amongft  the^;. 
ie'amen,  have  from  a  inotioa  of  loVe,  fundr;f 
times  taken  opportunities,  with  one  of  theM 
at  a  time  alone ;  and  in  a  free  converfation,' 
laboured  to  turn  their  minds  toward  the  fear 
of  the  Lord :  and  this  day  we  had  a  meet- 
ing in  the  cabbin,  where  my  heart  was  con- 
trite under  a  feeling  of  divine  love* 

Now  concerning  lads  being  trained  up  as 
feamen :  I  believe  a  communication  from  one 
part  of  the  world  to  fome  other  parts  of  it, 
by  fea,  is,  at  times,  confident  with  tlxe  will 
of  bur  heavenly  Father;  and  to  educate  fome 
youth  in  the  practice  of  failing,  I  believe 
may  be  right  :  but  how  lamentable  is  the 
prefent  corruption  of  the  world!  how  im- 
pure are  tiie  channels  thro'  v/hich  trade  hath- 
a  conveyance !  how  great  is  that  danger,  ta 
which  poor  lads  are  now  .  expofed,  when 
placed  on  lliipboard  to  learn  the  art  of  fail- 

Five  lads,  training  up  for  the  feas,  were 
now  on  board  this  iliip  ;  two  pf  them  brought 
up  amongft  our  foeiety  ;  one  of  which  hath 
a  right  amongft  friends,  by  name  James^ 
Nailor,  to  whofe  father  James  Nailor,  men- 
tioned in  Sewel's  hiftory,  appears  to  have^ 
been  uncle^ 

P  I  often 


2IO    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


I  often  feel  a  tendernefs  of  heart  toward 
thefe  poor  lads  ;  and,  at  times ^  look  at  them 
as  though  they  were  my  children  according 
to  the  flefli. 

O  that  all  may  take  heed  and  beware  of 
covetoufnefs  !  O  that  all  may  learn  of  Chrift, 
who  was  meek  and  low  of  heart !  Then  in 
faithfully  following  him,  he  will  teach  us  to 
be  content  with  food  and  raiment,  withovit  re- 
fpedl  to  the  cuftoms  or  honours  of  this  world. 

Men  thus  redeemed,  will  feel  a  tender  con- 
cern for  their  fellow-creatures,  and  ^  defire 
that  thofe  in  the  loweft  flations  may  be  affift- 
ed  and  encouraged  ;  and  v*rhere  owners  of 
fhips  attain  to  the  perfect  law  of  liberty,  and 
are  doers  of  the  v/ord,  thefe  will  be  bleffed 
in  their  deeds. 

A  fhip  at  fea  commonly  fails  ?J1  night,^ 
and  the  feamen  take  their  watches  four  hours 
at  a  time. 

Rifing  to  work  in  the  night,  is  not  com- 
monly pleafant  in  any  cafe  ;  but  in  dark 
rainy  nights^  it  is  very  difligreeable,  even 
though  each  man  were  furniflied  with  all 
conveniences  :  but  if  men  muft  go  out  at 
midnight  to  help  manage  the  Ihip  in  the 
rain,  and  having  fmall  room  to  fleep  and  lay 
their  garments  in,  are  often  befet  to  furnifh 
themfelves  for  the  watch  ;  their  garments  or 
forne  thing  relating  to  their  bulinefs  being 
wanting,  and  not  eafily  found ;  when  from 
the  urgency  occafioned  by  high  winds,  they 
are  haftened  and  called  up  fuddenly :  here  is  a 

tryal 


Of   JOHN  WOOL  MAN.  211 

tryal  of  patience  on  tlie  poor  failors,  and  the 
poor  lads  their  companions. 

if  after  they  have  been  on  deck  feveral 
hours  in  the  night,  and  come  down  into  the 
fteerage  foaking  wet,  and  are  fo  clofe  flowed 
that  proper  convenience  for  change  of  gar- 
ment is  not  eafily  come  at,  but  for  want  of 
proper  room  their  wet  garments  thrown  in 
heaps,  and  fometimes,  through  much  crowd- 
ing, are  trodden  under  foot,  in  going  to 
their  lodgings  and  getting  out  of  them,  and 
great  difficulties,  at  times,  each  one  to  find 
his  own :  here  are  tryals  on  the  poor  failors. 

Now  as  I  have  been  w^ith  them  in  my 
lodge,  my  heart  hath  often  yearned  for 
them;  and  tender  deiires  been  raifed  in  me, 
that  all  owners  and  mafters  of  velTels  may 
dwell  in  the  love  of  God,  and  therein  a6t 
uprightly ;  and  by  feeking  lefs  for  gain,  and 
looking  carefully  to  their  w^ays,  may  earn- 
eftly  labour  to  remove  all  caufe  of  provoca- 
tion from  the  poor  feamen,  either  to  fret  or 
ufe  excefs  of  ftrong  drink  ;  for,  indeed,  the 
poor  creatures,  at  times,  in  the  wet  and 
cold,  feem  to  apply  to  ftrong  drink  to  fup- 
ply  the  want  of  other  convenience. 

Great  reformation  in  the  world  is  want- 
ing, and  the  neceffity  of  it,  amongft  thefe 
who  do  bufinefs  on  great  waters,  hath,  at 
this  time,  been  abundantly  opened  before 
me. 

The  eighth  day  of  the  fifth  month. — This 
morning  the  clouds  gathered,  the  wind  blew 

P  2  ftrong 


2r2    Tilt  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 


flfong  from  Ibutli-eaftward,  and  before  noon 
increafed  to  that  degree  that  iailing  appeared 
dangerous  :  the  feamen  then  bound  up  fome 
of  their  lalls,  and  took  down  foine  ;  and  the 
ftorm  inCTeaiing,  they  put  the  dead  lights, 
fo  called,  into  the  cabbin- windows,  and 
lighted  a  lamp  as  at  night. 

The  wind  now  blew  vehemently,  and  the 
fea  wrought  to  that  degree,  that  an  awful  fe- 
rioufnefs  prevailed  in  the  cabbin,  in  which 
I  i'pent,  I  believe,  about  feventeen  hours  ; 
for  I  believed  the  poor  v^^t  toiling  feamen, 
had  need  of  all  the  room  in  the  crouded 
fleerage^  and  the  cabbin  pafiengers  had  given 
me  frequent  invitations. 

They  ceafed  now  fram  failing  ;  and  put 
the  veilel  in  the  pofture,  called  lying-to. 

My  mind  in  this  tempeft,  thro'  the  gra- 
cious affiftance  of  the  Lord,  was  prefer ved 
in  a  good  degree  of  relignation ;  and  I  felt, 
at  times,  a  few  v/ords  in  his  love  to  my 
Jliip'-mates,  in  regard  to  the  all-fufficiency 
of  Him  who  formed  the  great  deep,  and 
whofe  care  is  fo  extenfive,  that  a  fparrow 
fails  not  without  his  notice  :  and  thus  in  a 
tender  frame  of  mind,  fpake  to  them  of  the 
necellity  of  our  yielding,  in  true  obedience, 
to  the  inftruclions  of  our  heavenly  Father, 
who  fometimes,  through  adverfities,  tntend- 
.  eth  our  refinement. 

About  eleven  at  night,  I  went  out  on  the 
-  deck,  when  the  fea  wrought  exceedingly,  and 
the  high  foaming  waves,  all  round  about, 

had 


OF   JOHN  WOOLMAN.  21^ 


had  in  fome  fort  the  appearance  of  fire ;  h\\t 
did  not  give  much,  if  any,  light. 

The  lailor,  then  at  the  hehn,  faid,  he 
lately  faw  a  corpofant  at  the  head  of  the 
maft. 

About  this  time  I  obferved  the  mailer  of 
the  fliip  ordered  the  carpenter  to  keep  on  the 
deck  ;  and  tho'  he  faid  httie,  I  apprehended 
his  care  was,  that  the  carpenter  with  his  axe 
might  be  in  readinefs,  in  cafe  of  any  extre- 
mity. 

Soon  after  this,  the  vehemency  of  the 
wind  abated  ;  and  before  morning,  they 
again  put  the  fhip  under  fa,iL 

The  tenth  day  of  the  month,  and  firfh 
of  the  week,  it  being  fine  weather,  we  had 
a  meeting  in  the  cabbin,  at  which  mofl  of 
the  feamen  were  prefent :  this  meeting  to  me 
was  a  ftrengthening  time. 

The  thirteenth  day  of  the  month.  As  I 
continue  to  lodge  in  the  fteerage,  I  feel  an 
opennefs  this  morning,  to  exprefs  fometfiing 
further  of  the  ftate  of  my  mind,  in  refped:  toT 
poor  lads  bound  apprentice  to  learn  the  art  of 
failing.  As  I  believe  failing  is  of  fome  ufe  in 
the  world,  a  labour  of  foul  attends  me,  tiiat 
the  pure  counfel  of  truth  may  be  hurably 
waited  for  in  this  cafe,  by  ail  concerned  in 
,  the  bufinefs  of  the  feas. 

A  pious  father,  whofe  mind  is  exercifed 
tor  the  everlafting  welfare  of  his  child,  may 
Tiot,  with  a  peaceable  mind,  place  him  out 
to      employment  a^mongft  a  people,  whofe 


214    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


common  courfe  of  life  is  maaifeftly  corrupt 
and  prpphane  ;  fo  great  is  the  prefent  defect 
amongft  fea-faring  men,  in  regard  to  piety 
and  virtue  :  and  through  an  abundant  traf- 
fick,  and  rnany  fhips  of  war,  fo  many  peo- 
ple are  employed  on  the  fea,  that  this  fiibjedt 
of  placing  lads  to  the  employment  appears 
very  weighty. 

Pro phane  examples  are  very  corrupting, 
and  very  forcible.  And  as  my  mind,  day 
after  day,  and  night  after  night,  hath  been 
affedled  with  a  fympathizing  tendernefs  to- 
ward poor  children,  put  to  the  employment 
of  failors,  I  have  fometirnes  had  weighty 
converfation  v/ith  the  failors  in  the  ftcerage, 
who  were  moftly  refpedlful  to  me,  and  more 
and  more  fo  the  longer  I  w?'s  with  them: 
they  moilly  appeared  to  take  kindly  what  I 
faid  to  them ;  but  their  minds  have  appeared 
to  be  fo  deeply  imprelTed  with  that  almoft 
univerfal  depravity  amongft  failors,  that  the 
poor  creatures  in  their  anfwers  to  me  on 
this  fubje6l,  have  revived  in  my  remem- 
brance, that  of  the  degenerate  Jews  a  little 
before  the  captivity,  as  repeated  by  Jeremiah 
the  prophet,  "  There  is  no  hope." 

Now  under  this  exercife,  a  fenfe  of  the 
defire  of  outward  gain  prevailing  amongft 
us,  hath  felt  grievous ;  and  a  ftrong  call  to 
the  profefTed  followers  of  Chrift,  hath  been 
raifed  in  me  ;  that  all  may  take  heed,  left, 
through  loving  this  prefent  world,  they  be 
found  in  a  continued  negle6l  of  duty,  with 

refpedt 


^^F^.JjqifN  WOOLMAN.  215 

refpedl  to  a  faithful  labour  for  a  reforma- 
tion. 

Silence,  as  to  every  motion  proceeding 
from  the  love  of  money,  and  an  humble 
waiting  upon  God,  to  know  his  v/ill  con- 
cerning us,  hath  now  appeared  neceffary  : 
he  alone  is  able  to  (Irengthen  us  to  dig  deep, 
to  remove  all  w^hich  lies  between  us  and  the 
fafe  foundation,  and  fo  dired:  us  in  our  out- 
ward employments,  that  pure  univerfal  love 
may  lliine  forth  in  our  proceedings. 

Deiires  arifing  from  the  fpirit  of  truth,  are 
pure  defires  ;  and  when  a  mind,  divinely 
opened  toward  a  young  generation,  is  made 
fenfible  of  corrupting  examples,  powerfully 
•working,  and  extenfively  fpreading  amongil 
them,  how  moving  is  the  profpedl ! 

A  great  trade  to  the  coaft  of  Africa  for 
flaves  ;  of  which  I  now  heard  frequent  con- 
verfation  among  the  failors  ! 

A  great  trade  in  that  which  is  raifed  and 
prepared  thro'  grievous  opprellion ! 

A  great  trade  in  lliperfluity  of  workman- 
fliip,  formed  to  pleafe  the  pride  and  vanity 
of  people's  minds ! 

Great  and  exteniive  is  that  depra.vity, 
which  prevails  amongft  the  poor  failors  ! 

When  I  remember  that  faying  of  the  Moft 
High,  through  his  prophet,      This  people 

have  I  formed  for  myfeif ;  they  ihall  ihew 

forth  my  praife  and  think  of  placmg 
children  amongil  them,  to  learn  the  pra6lice 
Qf  failing,  the  confiilcncy  of  it  y/iiIx  a  pious 

educa-- 


The  life  and  TRAVELS 

education,  feems  to  me  like  that  mentioned 
t?)  the  prophetj      There  is  no  anfwer  from 
God;' 

Li  a  world  of  dangers  and  difficulties,  like 
a  defolate  thorny  wildernefs,  how  precious ! 
how  comfonabk  !  how  fafe !  are  the  lead- 
ings of  Chrlft^  the  good  ihepherd  ;  who 
faid,  i  kaow  my  Iheep ;  and  am  known  of 
mine.'' 

The  lixtpeath  day  of  the  month.  Wind 
for  feveral  days  paft  often  high,  what  the 
fallens  cai:  'qualiy,  rough  fea  and  frequent: 
rains.  This  lail  night  a  very  trying  night 
to  the  poor  feanien ;  the  water,  chief  part  of 
the. night,  running  over  the  main  deck,  and 
fometimes  breaking  Vv^aves  came  on  the  quar- 
ter deck.  The  latter  part  of  the  night,  as  I 
lay  in  bed,  my  mind  was  humbled  under 
the  power  of  divine  love  ;  and  refignednefs 
to  the  great  Creator  of  the  earth  and  the 
feas,  renewcdiy  w^rought  in  me,  whofe  fa- 
therly care  over  his  children  felt  precious  to 
my  Ibul  :  and  delircs  Y>^ere  now  renewed  in 
ine,  to  embrace  every  opportunity  of  being 
imvardly  acquainted  v/ith  the  hardlhips  and 
difficulties  of  my  fe]lovv^-crcatur€s,  and  to 
laboui"  in  his  love  for  the  fpreading  of  pure 
univcrfal  rightcoiifnefs  on  the  earth.  The 
opportunities  being  frequent  of  hearing  con- 
verlation  amongft  the  failors,  in  refpect  to 
the  voyages  to  Africa,  and  the  manner  of 
bringing  the  deeply  opprefTcd  fiavcs  into  our 
ifiands.  The  thoughts  pf  their  condition, 
frequently  in  chains  and  fetters  on  board  the 

yeffels, 


"OF  JOHN    WOOLMAN.  217 


"veflels,  with  hearts  loaded  with  grief,  under 
the  appreheialions  of  iliiferablc  liavery  ;  my 
mind  was  frequently  opened  to  meditate  on 
thefe  things. 

On  the  feventeenth  day  of  the  month,  and 
firft  of  the  week,  we  had  a  meeting  in  the 
cabbin ;  to  which  the  feamen  generally  came. 
My  fpirit  was  contrite  before  the  Lord ; 
whole  love,  at  this  time,  affedled  my  heart. 

This  afternoon  I  felt  a  tender  fympathy  of 
-  foul,  with  my  poor  wife  and  family  left  be- 
hind ;  in  which  (late,  my  heart  was  en- 
larged in  dehres,  that  they  may  walk  in  that 
humble  obedience  wherein  the  everiafhing 
Father  may  be  their  guide  and  fupport,  thro' 
all  the  difEculties  in  this  world  ;  and  a  fenle 
of  that  gracious  affiftance,  thro'  which  my 
mind  hath  been  ftrengthened  to  take  up  the 
crofs  and  leave  them,  to  ;;ravel  in  the  love 
of  truth,  hath  begotten  thanlcfulnefs  in  my 
heart  lo  our  great  Helper. 

On  the  twent}^-fourth  day  of  the  month, 
and  firft  of  the  week,  a  clear  pleafant  morn- 
ing :  and  as  I  fat  on  deck,  I  felt  a  reviving 
in  my  nature ;  which,  through  much  rainy 
weather,  and  high  winds,  being  fhut  up  in 
a  clofe  unhealthy  air,  was  weakened. 

Several  nights  of  late  I  felt  breathing  dif- 
ficult ;  that  a  little  after  the  riling  of  the 
fecond  watch  (which  is  about  midnight)  I 
got  up,  and  ftoocl,  I  believe,  near  an  hour, 
with  my  face  near  the  hatchway,  to  get  the 
frelh  air  at  the  fmall  vacanc^^  under  the 

hatc|i 


2iS    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


hatch  door ;  which  is  commonly  flint  down, 
partly  to  keep  out  rain,  and  fometimes  to 
keep  the  breaking  waves  from  daihing  into 
the  fteerage. 

I  may,  with  thankfulnefs  to  the  Father 
of  mercies,  acknowledge,  that  ip  my  pre- 
fent  weak  ftate,  my  mind  hath  been  fupport- 
ed  to  bear  the  afflicPdon  with  patience  ;  and 
have  looked  at  the  prefent  difpenfation  as  a 
kindnefs  from  the  great  Father  of  niankind, 
who,  in  this  my  floating  pilgrimage,  is  in 
fome  degree  bringing  me  to  feel  that,  which 
many  thouilmds  of  my  fellov/^creatures  of- 
ten fuffer  in  a  greater  degree. 

My  appetite  failing,  the  tryal  hath  been 
the  heavier  ;  and  I  have  felt  tender  breath- 
ings in  my  foul  after  God,  the  fountain  of 
comfort,  whofe  inward  help  hath  fupplied, 
at  times,  the  want  of  outv/ard  convenience  : 
and  flrong  defires  have  attended  me,  that  his 
family,  who  are  acquainted  with  the  mov- 
ings  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  may  be  fo  redeemed 
from  the  love  of  money,  and  from  that  fpi- 
rit  in  vv^hich  men  feek  honour  one  of  ano- 
ther ;  that  in  all  buflnefs,  by  fea  or  land, 
we  may  confcantly  keep  in  view  the  coming 
of  his  kingdom  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven ; 
and  by  Taithfully  following  this  fafe  guide, 
fliev/  forth  examples,  tending  to  lead  or^t  of 
that  under  vv^hich  the  creation  groans  ! 

This  day  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  cabbin ; 
in  which  I  was  favoured  in  fome  degree  to 
fxperience  the  fulfilling  of  that  faying  of 

the 


OF   JOHN  WOOL  M  AN.  219 

the  prophet,  The  Lord  hath  been  a  flrength 
^'  to  the  poor,  a  ftreiigth  to  the  needy  in 

their  diftrefs  for  which,  my  heart  is 
bowed  in  thankfulnefs  before  him. 

The  twenty-eighth  day  of  the  month : 
wet  weather  of  late,  finall  winds  inchning 
to  calms  ;  our  fcamen  have  caft  a  lead,  I  fup- 
pofe  about  one  hundred  fathom,  but  find  no 
bottom :  foggy  weather  this  morning. 

Through  the  kindnefs  of  the  great  Pre- 
^ferver  of  men,  my  mind  remains  quiet ;  and 
a  degree  of  exercife,  from  day  to  day,  at- 
tends me,  that  the  pure  peaceable  govern- 
ment of  Chrift  raay  Ipread  and  prevail  a- 
mongft  mankind. 

The  leading  on  of  a  young  generation,  ii:^ 
that  pure  way,  in  which  the  wifdom  of  thi^ 
world  hath  no  place :  where  parents  and  tu- 
tors, humbly  waiting  for  the  heavenly  Coun- 
fellor,  may  example  them  in  the  truth,  as  it 
is  in  Jefus.  This,  for  feveral  days,  hath 
been  the  exercife  of  my  mind ;  O  how  fafe, 
how  quiet  is  that  ftate,  where  the  foul  ftands 
in  pure  obedience  to  the  voice  of  Chrift,  and 
a  watchful  care  is  maintained,  not  to  follow 
the  voice  of  the  ftranger ! 

Here  Chrift  is  felt  to  be  our  fhepherd  ;  and 
under  his  leading,  people  are  brought  to  a 
ftability  :  and  where  he  doth  not  lead  for- 
ward, we  are  bound  in  the  bonds  of  pure 
love,  to  ftand  ftill  and  wait  upon  him.  In 
the  love  of  money,  and  in  the  wifdom  of 
this  world,  bufinefs  is  propofed,  then  the 

urgency 


220   The  life  and  TRAVELS 


urgency  of  affairs  pulh  forward ;  nor  can  the 
mind,  in  this  ftate,  difcern  the  good  and  per- 
fedl  will  of  God  concerning  us. 

The  love  of  God  is  manifefted,  in  graci- 
Gufly  calling  us  to  come  out  of  that  v/hich 
ftands  in  confufion  ;  but  if  we  bow  not  in 
the  name  of  Jefas  ;  if  we  give  not  up  thofe 
profpects  of  gain,  which,  in  the  wifdom  of 
this  v/orld,  are  open  before  us,  but  fay  in 
our  hearts,  I  muft  needs  go  on  ;  and  in  go- 
ing on,  I  hope  to  keep  as  near  to  the  purity 
of  truth,  as  the  bufinefs  before  me  will  ad- 
mit of:  here  the  mind  remains  entangled, 
and  the  fliining  of  the  light  of  life  ixito  the 
foul  is  obftrudled. 

This  query  opens  in  my  mind  in  the  Ipve 
of  Chrift.  Where  fliall  a  pious  father  place 
his  fon  apprentice,  to  be  inftru6led  in  the 
pracflice  of  croffing  the  feas ;  and  have  faith 
to  believe,  that  Chrift,  our  holy  Shepherd, 
leads  him  to  place  his  fon  there  ? 

Surely  the  Lord  calls  to  mourning  and 
deep  humiliation,  that  in  his  fear  we  may 
be  inftrucled,  and  led  fafely  on  throu^^h  the 
great  difficulties  and  perplexities  in  this  pre- 
lent  age. 

In  an  entire  fubjeftion  of  our  wills,  the 
Lord  graciouiiy  opens  a  Vy  ay  for  his  people^ 
where  all  their  wants  arc  bounded  by  his 
wifdom  ;  and  here  we  experience  the  fub- 
ftance  of  what  Mofes  the  prophet  figured  out 
in  the  water  of  feparation,  as  a  purification 
from  fiu* 

Efau 


OF  JOHN  WOOL  MAN.  221 


Efcva  is  mentioned  as  a  child  red  all  over^ 
like  a  hairy  garment :  in  Efau  is  reprefented 
the  natural  will  of  man.  In  preparing  the 
water  of  feparation,  a  red  heifer  without 
bleniifli,  on  which  there  had  been  no  yoke. 
Was  to  be  llain,  and  her  blood  fprinkled  by 
the  prieft  feven  time&  toward  the  tabernacle 
of  the  congregation  :  then  her  fldn,  her 
fieHi,  and  all  pertaining  to  her,  was  to  be 
burnt  without  the  camp  ;  and  of  her  allies 
the  water  was  prepared.  Thus  the  crucify- 
ing the  old  man,  or  natural  will,  is  repre- 
{ented ;  and  hence  comes  a  feparation  from 
that  carnal  mind,  which  is  death. 

He  who  toucheth  the  dead  body  of  a 
man,  and  purifieth  not  himfelf  with  the 
water  of  feparation,  he  defileth  the  taber- 
nacle  of  the  Lord  ;  he  is  unclean."  Numb. 
Kix,  J  3. 

If  any,  through  tlie  loTe  of  gain,  go  forth 
into  bufinefs,  wherein  they  dwell  as  a- 
mongft  the  tombs,  and  touch  the  bodies  of 
thofe  who  are  dead :  if  thefe,  through  the 
infinite  love  of  God,  feel  the  power  of  the 
crofs  of  Chrift  to  crucify  them  to  the  world, 
and  therein  learn  humbly  to  follow  the  di- 
vine leader  : — here  is  the  judgment  of  this 
w^orld — here  the  prince  of  this  world  is  call 
but. 

The  water  of  feparation  is  felt ;  and  tho' 
we  have  been  amongft  the  flain,  and  thro' 
the  defire  of  gain  have  touched  the  dead  bo- 
dy of  a  man ;  yet,  in  the  purifying  love  of 

Chriit, 


222     The  life  and  TRAVELS 


Clirifl,  we  are  waflied  in  the  wafer  of  repa- 
ration, are  brought  off  from  that  bufinefs, 
from  that  gain^  and  from  that  fellowHiip, 
which  was  not  agreeable  to  his  holy  will  : 
and  I  have  felt  a  renewed  confirmatioa  in 
the  time  of  this  voyage,  that  the  Lcrd.  in 
his  infinite  love,  is  calling  to  his  viiited  ciiil-^ 
dren,  fo  to  give  up  all  outward  pofieffion^?, 
and  means  of  getting  treafures,  that  his  Ho- 
ly Spirit  may  have  free  courfe  in  their  hearts, 
and  dired:  them  in  all  their  proceedings. 

To  feel  the  fubilance  pointed  at  in  this 
figure,  man  muft  know  death,  as  to  his  own 
will. 

No  man  can  fee  God,  and  live This 
was  fpoken  by  the  Almighty  to  Mofes  the 
prophet  ;  and  opened  by  our  bleffed  Re-^ 
deemer. 

As  death  comes  on  our  own  wills,  and  a 
new  life  is  formed  in  us,  the  heart  is  purified, 
and  prepared  to  underftand  clearly.  BlefT- 

ed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  fliall 

fee  God."  In  purity  of  heart,  the  mind  is 
divinely  opened  to  behold  the  nature  of  uni- 
verfal  righteoufnefs,  or  the  rightcoufnefs  of 
the  kingdom  of  God.        No  man  hath  feen 

the  Father,  fave  he  that  is  of  God  ;  he 

hath  feen  the  Father." 

The  natural  mind  is  aclive  about  the 
things  of  this  life ;  and  in  this  natural'  acti- 
vity, bufinefs  is  propofed,  and  a  will  in  us 
to  go  forward  in  it.  And  as  long  as  this  na- 
tural will  remains  unfubjeded,  lb  long  there 

remains 


OF   JOHN  WOOL  man;  22y 


remains  an  obflruflion  againft  the  clearnefs 
of  divine  light  operating  in  us  ;  but  v/hen: 
we  love  God  with  ail  our  heart,  and  with 
all  our  ftrength,  then,  in  this  love,  we  love 
our  neighbours  as  ourfeives  ;  and  a  tender- 
nefs  of  heart  is  felt  toward  all  people  fon 
whom  Chrift  died,  even  fuch  who  as  to  out- 
ward circumftances  may  be  to  us  as  the  Jews> 
were  to  the  Samaritans.  Who  is  my  neigh^ 
bour  ?  See  this  queftion  anfvvered  by  our  Sa- 
viour, Luke  X.  30. 

In  this  love  we  can  fay,  that  Jefus  is  the 
Lord ;  and  the  reformation  in  our  fouls,  ma- 
nifefhed  in  a  full  reformation  of  our  lives/ 
wherein  all  things  are  new,  and  all  things 
are  of  God;  2  Cor.  v.  18.  in  this  the  defire 
of  gain  is  fubje6led. 

'  When  employment  is  honefily  followed  in 
the  light  of  truth ;  and  people  become  dili- 
gent in  bufmefs,  fervent  in  fpiritj ;  ferving 
the  Lord:"  Rom.  xii.  11.  Here  the  name 
is  opened  :  This  is  the  name  by  v/hich  he 
fiiall  be  called,  THE  LORD  OUR 
RIGHTEOUSNESS.''  Jere.  xxiii.  6. 
Oh,  how  precious  is  this  name  !  It  is  like 
ointment  poured  out.  The  chafte  virgins  are 
in  love  with  the  Redeemer ;  and  for  the  pro- 
moting his  peaceable  kingdom  in  the  v/orld, 
are  content  to  endure  hardnefs  like  good  fol- 
diers  ;  and  are  fo  feparated  in  fpirit,  from 
the  defire  of  riches,  that  in  their  employ- 
ments, they  become  extenfively  careful  to  give 
none  offence,  neither  to  Jews  nor  heathen, 
nor  the  church  of  Chrift,  On 


224    'I'he  life  and  travel^ 


On  the  thirty-firft  diay  of  the  month,  and 
firft  of  the  week,  we  had  a  ixieedng  m  the 
cabbin,  with  near  all  the  flilp's  company; 
the  whole  being  near  thirty.  In  this  meet- 
ing the  Lord,  in  mercy,  favoured  lis  with 
tiie  extendings  of  his  love. 

The  fecond  day  of  the  fixth  month.  Laftf 
evening  the  leamen  found  bottom  at  about 
leventy  fathom. 

This  morning  fair  v^^ind,  and  pleafant  i 
and  as  I  fat  on  deck,  my  heart  was  over- 
come with  the  love  of  Chrift,  and  melted  in- 
to contrition  before  him  :  and  in  this  ftate, 
the  profpecl  of  that  work,  to  which  I  have  ^ 
felt  my  mind  drawn  when  in  my  native 
land,  being  in  fome  degree  opened  before 
me,  I  felt  like  a  little  child  ;  and  my  cries 
were  put  up  to  my  heavenly  Father  for  pre*- 
lervation,  that  in  a  humble  dependance  on 
him,  my  foul  may  be  ftrengthened  in  his 
love,  and  kept  inwardly  waiting  for  his 
counfel. 

This  afternoon  we  faw  that  part  of  Eng- 
land called  the  Lizard. 

Some  dunghill  fowls  yet  remained  of  thofe 
the  paffengers  took  for  their  fea-ftore :  I  be- 
lieve about  fourteen  perilhed  in  the  ftorms 
at  fea,  by  the  waves  breaking  over  the  quar- 
ter-deck ;  and  a  confiderable  number  with 
ficknefs,  at  diiierent  times. — -I  obferved  the 
cocks  crow  coming  down  the  Delaware,  and 
while  we  v/ere  near  the  land  ;  but  after- 
ward, I  think  I  did  not  hear  one  of  them 

crow 


OF    J  O  H  N    W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  225 


crow  till  we  came  near  the  land  in  England^ 
when  they  again  crowed  a  few  times* 

In  obfervin^  their  dull  appearance  at  fea, 
and  the  pining  ficknefs  of  fome  of  them,  I 
often  remembered  the  fountain  of  goodnefs, 
who  gave  being  to  all  creatures,  and  whofe 
love  extends  to  that  of  caring  for  the  fpar- 
rows ;  and  believe,  where  the  love  of  God  is 
verily  perfe6led,  and  the  true  fpirit  of  go- 
vernment watchfully  attended  to,  a  tender- 
nefs  toward  all  creatures  made  fubjedt  to  us 
will  be  experienced ;  and  a  care  felt  in  us,  that 
we  do  not  lefTen  that  fweetnefs  of  life,  in. 
the  animal  creation,  which  the  great  Crea.tor 
intends  for  them  under  our  government. 

The  fourth  day  of  the  month.  Wet  wea- 
ther, high  winds,  and  fo  dark  that  vfe  could 
fee  but  a  little  way.  I  perceived  our  feamen 
were  apprehenfive  of  danger  of  miffing  the 
Channel ;  vv'^hich,  I  underftood,  was  narrow. 
In  a  while,  it  grew  lighter ;  and  they  faw  the 
land,  and  they  knew  where  we  were.  Thus 
the  Father  of  mercies  was  pleafed  to  try  us 
with  the  fight  of  dangers  ;  and  then  graci- 
oufly,  from  time  to  time,  deliver  from  them  : 
thus  fparing  our  lives,  that  in  humility  and 
reverence,  we  may  walk  before  him,  and 
put  our  truft  in  him. 

About  noon  a  pilot  came  off  from  Dover  ; 
where  my  beloved  friend  Samuel  Emlen  went 
<3n  fhore,  and  thence  to  London,  about  feven- 
ty-two  miles  by  land  ;  but  I  felt  eafy  in 
flaying  in  the  ffiip. 

The 


226     The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 


The  feventh  day  of  the  month,  and  firll 
of  the  week.  Clear  morning,  lay  at  anchor 
for  the  tide,  and  had  a  parting^ meeting  with 
the  {hip's  company;  in  which,  my  heart  was 
enlarged  in  a  fervent  concern  for  them,  that 
they  may  come  to  experience  falvation  thro' 
Chrift.  —  Had  a  head  wind  up  the  Thames; 
lay  fometimes  at  anchor  ;  faw  many  fhips 
pafTmg,  and  fome  at  anchor  near  ;  and  had 
large  opportunity  of  feeling  the  fpirit  in 
which  the  poor  bewildered  failors  too  gene- 
rally live. — That  lamentable  degeneracy, 
which  fo  much  prevails  on  the  people  em- 
ployed on  the  feas,  fo  affedled  my  heart,  that 
I  may  not  ealily  convey  the  feeling  I  have 
had  to  another. 

.  The  prefent  ftate  of  the  fea-faring  life  in 
general,  appears  fo  oppoiite  to  that  of  a  pi- 
ous education  ;  fo  full  of  corruption,  and 
extreme  alienation  from  God  ;  fo  full  of  ex- 
amples, the  moil  dangerous  to  young  peo- 
ple, that  in  looking  toward  a  young  genera- 
tion, I  feel  a  care  for  them,  that  they  may 
have  ati  education  different  from  the  prefent 
education  of  lads  at  fea  :  and.  that  all  of  us, 
who  are  acquainted  w^ith  the  pure  gofpel  fpi- 
rit, may  lay  this  cafe  to  heart,  may  remem- 
ber the  lamentable  corruptions  which  at- 
tends the  conveyance  of  merchandize  acrofs 
the  feas,  and  fo  abide  in  the  love  of  Chrift, 
that  being  delivered  from  the  love  of  mo- 
ney, from  the  entangling  expences  of  a  cu- 
rious, delicate  luxurious  life,  we  may  learn 
contentment  with   a  little  ;    and  promote 

the 


oP    JOHN    WOOL  MAR  dif 


tlid  fea-faiing  life  no  further,  than  that  fpi^ 
rit,  which  leads  into  all  truth,  attends  us^rt 
our  proceedings* 


/ 

CHAP,  Xli. 

Mis  attending  the  yearly-meeting  t?t  London  / 
and  after  it^  proceeding  toivards  Tork/Jjire^ 
^iftting  fever al  quarterly  and  other  meetings 
in  the  counties  of  Hertford^  Waruoick^  Ox-^ 

ford^  Nottingham^  Tork^  and  Wejlmoreland ; 
and  thence  again  into  Y\rkfldire^  and  to  th6 
city  of  York*;  %vith  fonie  infruBive  thoughts 
and  obferyationsj  and  letters  on  divers  fith- 

jeBs  —  His  hearing  of  the  deceafe  of  JVil-^ 
lia?n  Hunt ;  and  fome  account  of  him  - — His' 

ftchiefs  at  York  )  and  end  of  his  pilgrim agd 
there. 

OH  the  eighth  day  of  the  fixth  month, 
1772,  we  landed  at  London  ;  and  I 
went  ftraightway  to  the  yearly-meeting  of 
miniflers  and  elders,  which  had  been  ga- 
thered (I  fuppofe)  about  half  an  hour. 

In  this  meeting,  my  mind  was  humbly 
contrite  :  in  the  afternoon,  the  meeting  of 

Qj2  bufinef^ 


228  The  LIFE  and  TRAVEL^ 

bufinefs  opened;  which,  by  adjonxnments, 
held  near  a  week.- — In  thefe  meetings,  I  of- 
ten felt  a  living  concern  for  the  eftabliihment 
of  friends  in  the  pure  life  of  truth:  and 
my  heart  was  enlarged  in  the  meeting  of  mi- 
iiifters,  meeting  of  bufinefs,  and  in  feveral 
meetings  of  publick  worfliip ;  and  I  felt  my 
mind  united  in  true  love,  to  the  faithful  la- 
bourers now  gathered  at  this  yearly-meet- 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  the  month,  I  left 
London,  and  Went  to  a  quarterly-meeting 
at  Plertford, 

The  firft  day  of  the  feventh  month.  J| 
have  been  at  quarterly-meetings  at  Sherring- 
ton, Northampton,  Banbury  and  Shipton  ; 
and  had  fandry  meetings  between :  my  mind 
hath  been  bowed  under  a  fenfe  of  divine 
goodnefs  manifefted  amongft  us  ;  my  heart 
hath  been  often  enlarged  in  trlie  love,  both 
amongfc  miniiicrs  and  ciders,  and  in  publick 
meetings;  that  through  the  Lord's  good- 
nefs. 1  believe  it  hath  been  a  frefh  vilitation 
to  many^  in  particular  to  the  youth. 

The  feventceiith  day  of  the  montho  Was 
this  day  at  Birmingham :  have  been  at  meet- 
ings at  Coventry,  Warwick,  in  Oxfordfliire^ 
and  fundry  other  places ;  have  felt  the  hum- 
bling hand  of  the  Lord  upon  me ;  and  thro* 
his  tender  mercies  find  peace  in  the  labours 
1  have  gone  through.  ,  ui^ 

The  twenty-fixch  day  of  the  month*-  t 
have  continued  travelling  northward,  vifit- 


,,,:u9,«r.J#HN   WOOL  MAN.  2.9 

iil'g  meetings  :  was  this  day  at  Nottingham ; 
which,  in  the  forenoon  efpecially,  ^?v'as,  thro' 
divine  love,  a  heart-tendering  feafon  :  next 
day  had  a  meeting  in  a  friend's  houft  With 
friends  children  and  fome  friends  ;  this, 
thro'  the  ftrengthening  arm  of  the  Lord, 
was  a  time  to  be  thankfully  remembered. 

The  fecond  day  of  the  eighth  month,  and 
firft  of  the  week,  was  this  day  at  Sheffield, 
a  large  inland  town  :  have  been  at  fundry 
meetings  lafl  week  ;  and  feel  inward  thank- 
fulnefs  for  that  divine  fupport,  which  hath 
been  gracioufly  extended  to  me. 

The  ninth  day  of  the  month,  and  firft  of 
the  week,  was  at  Rufh worth  :  have  lately 
palTed  through  fome  painful  labour ;  but 
have  been  comforted,  under  a  fenfe  of  that 
divine  vifitation,  which  I  fee|  extencled  to-- 
ward  many  young  people. 

The  fixteenth  day  of  the  month,  and  firft 
of  the  week,  was  at  Settle:  it  hath  of  late 
be?n  a  time  of  inward  poverty  ;  under  wliicli, 
my  mind  hath  been  preferyed  in  a  watchful 
tender  ftate,  feeling  for  the  mind  of  the  ho- 
ly Leader,  and  find  pea^e  in  the  labours  I 
have  paffed  through . 

On  enquiry,  in  manjy  places,  I  find  the 
price  of  rye  about  five  fhillings,  wheat  about 
eight  ftiillings,  per  bufliel  ;  oatmeal  twelve 
fhillings  for  an  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  ; 
mutton  from  three-pence  to  five-pence  per 
pound  ;  bacon,  from  feven-pence  to  nine- 
pence  5  cheefe,  from  four-pence  to  fix-pence ; 

SutKr^ 


f3o    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

butter,  from  eight^pence  to  ten-penee;  houfe?^ 
rent,  for  a  poor  man,  from  twenty-five  {hil- 
lings to  forty  fhillings  per  year,  to  be  paid 
weekly;  wood,  for  fire,  very  fcarce  and  dear ; 
coal,  in  fome  places,  tvv^o  fliiilings  and  fix- 
pence  j^^^^r  limidred  v/eight;  but  near  the  pits, 
pot  a  quarter  fb  much.  O,  may  the  wealthy 
f  onfider  the  poor ! 

The  v/^ages  of  labouring  men  in  feveral 
counties  toward  London,  is  ten-pence  per 
day  in  common  bufinefs,  the  employer  finds 
fmall-beer,  and  the  labourer  finds  his  own 
food  ;  but  in  harveft  and  hay  time,  wages 
is  about  one  Ihilling  per  day,  and  the  la- 
bourer hath  all  his  diet.  In  fome  parts  of 
the 'north  of  England,  poor  labouring  men 
have  their  food  where  they  work  ;  and  ap- 
pear, in  common,  to  do  ri^ther  better  than 
nearer  London  :  induiirious  women,  who 
fpin  in  the  fadlories,  get  fome  four-pence, 
fome  five-pence,  and  lb  on  to  fix,  feven, 
eight,  nine  or  ten-pence  per  day,  and  find 
their  own  houfe-ropm  and  diet.  Great  num- 
bers of  poor  people  live  chiefiy  on  bread  and 
water  in  the  fouthern  parts  of  England,  and 
fome  in  the  northern  parts  ;  and  there  are 
many  poor  children  not  taught  even  to  read. 
May  thofe  wIiq  have  plenty,  lay  thefe  things 
to  heart ! 

Stage-coaches  frequently  go,  upwards  of 
an  hundred  miies  in  twenty-four  hours ;  and 
I  have  heard  friends  fay,  in  feveral  places, 
^hat  it  is  common  for  horfes  to  be  killed  with 

hard 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  231 


hard  driving,  and  many  others  driven  till 
they  grow  blind. 

Poll-boys  purfue  their  bnilnefs,  each  one 
to  his  ftage,  ail  night  thro'  the  winter  :  feme 
boys,  who  ride  long  ftages,  fufFer  greatly  on 
winter  nights  ;  and,  at  feveral  places,  I  have 
heard  of  their  being  froze  to  death.  So 
great  is  the  hnrry  in  the  fpirit  of  this  world, 
that  in  aiming  to  do  bnfinefs  quick,  and  to 
gain  wealth,  the  creation,  at  this  day,  doth 
loudly  groan  ! 

As  my  journey  hath  been  without  a  horfe, 
I  have  had  feveral  offers  of  being  afTifted  on 
my  way  in  thefe  ftage-coaches  ;  but  have 
not  been  in  them  :  nor  have  I  had  freedom 
to  fend  letters  by  thefe  polls,  in  the  prefent 
way  of  their  riding ;  the  ftages  being  fo  fix- 
ed, and  one  boy  dependant  on  another  as  to 
time,  that  they  commonly  go  upward  of 
one  hundred  miles  in  twenty-four  hours ; 
and  in  the  cold  long  vv^inter  nights,  the  poor 
bovs  fuffer  much. 

w' 

I  heard  in  America  of  the  w^ay  of  thefe 
pofts ;  and  cautioned  friends  in  the  general 
meeting  of  rainiilers  and  elders  at  Philadel- 
phia, and  in  the  yearly-meeting  of  minifters 
and  elders  at  London,  not  to  fend  letters  to 
me  on  any  common  occafion  by  poll.  And 
though,  on  this  account,  I  may  be  likely  to 
hear  feidoiner  from  my  family  left  behind  ; 
yet,  for  righteoufnefs  5ake,  I  am,  thro'  di- 
viae  favour,  made  content. 

I  have 


T^ji^LIFE  AN^i)  TJ|l^VELS 

I  have  felt  great  diftrefs  of  mind,  fince  I 
came  on  this  ifland,  on  account  of  the  mem- 
bers of  our  fpciety  being  mixed  with  the 
world  in  various  forts  of  buifinefs  and  traf- 
fick,  carried  on  in  impure  channels.  Greater 
is  the  trade  to  Africa  for  flaves !  and  in  load- 
ing thefe  fliips,  abundance  of  people  are  em- 
ployed in  the  faiflories  ;  amongft  whom  are 
many  of  our  fociety.  Friends,  in  early  times, 
refufed,  oil  a  religious  principle,  to  make  or 
tr^ide  iti  fuperliuities  ;  of  which,  we  have : 
mahy  large  teftimonies  on  record  :  bu|;  for; 
want  of  faithfulnefs,  fome  gave  Y^?c^:^:.m^ 
fome,  whofe  examples  were  of  note  in  OMt  - 
Ibciety  ;  and  from  thence  others  took  more 
liberty.  Members  of  our  fociety  worked  in 
iiiperlluities,  and  bought  and  fold  them; 
and  thus  dimnefs  of  'fight  came  over  naany  : 
at  length,  friends  got  into  the  ufe  of  fome 
fiipcrfluities  in  drefs,  and  in  the  furniture  of 
their  houfes ;  and  this  hath  fpread  from  lefs 
to  more,  till  fuperfluity  of  fome  kinds  is 
common  amongft  us. 

In  this  declining  ftate,  many  look  at  the 
example  one  of  another,  and  tpo  much  ne-- 
gledl  the  pure  feeling  of  truth.  Of  late  years, 
a  deep  exercife  hath  attended  my  mind,  that 
friends  may  dig  deep,  may  carefully  caft 
forth  the  loofe  mattei^,  and  get  down  to  ^:he 
Robk,  the  fare  foundation,  and  there  hearken 
to  that  divine  voice  which  gives  a  clear  and  . 
certain  found ;  and  I  have  felt  in  that  whicix 


oP^  JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  233^ 


doth  not  deceive,  that  if  friends,  who  have 
known  the  truth,  keep  in  that  tendernefs  of 
heart,  where  all  views  of  outv^ard  gain  arc 
given  up,  and  their  truft  is  only  on  the 
Lord,  he  will  gracioufly  lead  fome  to  be  pat- 
terns of  deep  felf-denial  in  things  relating 
to  trade  and  handicraft  labour  ;  and  that 
fome,  who  have  plenty  of  the  treafures  of 
this  world,  will  example  in  a  plain  frugal 
life,  and  pay  wages  to  fiich  whom  they  may 
hire,  more  liberally  than  is  now  cuilomary 
in  fome  places. 

The  twenty- third  day  of  the  month,  was 
this  day  at  Prefton-Patrick,  and  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting.  I  have,  feveral  times,  been 
entertained  at  the  houfes  of  friends,  who  had 
fundry  things  about  them  which  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  outward  greatnefs  ;  and  as  I 
have  kept  inward,  way  hath  opened  for  con- 
verfation  with  fuch  in  private,  in  which  di- 
vine goodnefs  hath  favoured  us  together, 
with  heart- tendering  times. 

The  tweuty-fixth  day  of  the  month.  Be- 
ing now  at  George  Crosfields,  in  the  county 
of  Weftmoreland,  I  feel  a  concern  to  com- 
mit to  writing,  that  which  to  me  hath  been 
a  cafe  uncommon. 

In  a  time  of  ficknefs  with  the  pleurify, 
a  little  upward  of  two  years  and  a  half  ago, 
I  was  brought  fo  near  the  gates  of  death, 
that  I  forgot  my  name  :  being  then  delirous 
to  know  vv^ho  I  was,  I  faw  a  mafs  of  matter 
pf  a  dull  gloomy  colour,  between  the  fouth 


234   The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

and  the  eafl;  and  was  informed,  that  this 
niafs  w^s  human  beings  in  as  great  mifery 
as  they  could  be,  and  live  ;  and  that  I  was 
mixed  in  widi  them,  and  that  henceforth  I 
inkdit  not  confider  myfelf  as  a  diftind;  or 
fcparate  being.  In  this  ftate  I  remained  fe- 
veral  hours.  I  then  heard  a  foft  melodious 
voice,  more  pure  and  iiarmonioiiG  than  any 
I  had  heard  with  my  ears  before  ;  I  believ- 
ed it  vv'as  the  voice  of  an  angel,  who  fpake 
to  the  other  angels:  the  words  were-^Jobn 
Wjolman  is  dead.  I  foon  remembered  that  I 
once  was  John  W colman  ;  and  being  afTured 
tiiat  I  was  alive  in  the  body,  I  greatly  won- 
dered what  that  heavenly  voic€  could  mean. 

I  believed,  beyond  doubting,  that  it  was 
the  voice  of  an  holy  angel ;  but,  as  yet^  it 
was  a  myftery  to  me. 

I  Vv^as  then  carried  in  fpirit  to  the  mines, 
where  poor  oppreffed  people  w^ere  digging 
rich  treaiiires  for  thofe  called  chriftians;  and 
heard  thern  blafpheme  the  name  of  Chriil, 
^^t  vvhich  I  was  grieved  ;  for  his  name  to  me 
was  precious. 

Then  I  was  informed,  that  thefc  hea- 
then were  told,  that  thofe  who  oppreffed 
them  were  the  follov7ers  of  Chrift ;  and  they 
faid  amongft  thenifeives,  If  Chrift  directed 
*  them  to  ule  us  in  this  fort,  then  Chrift  is  a 
cruel  tyrant. 

All  this  time  the  fong  of  the  angel  re- 
mained a  myftery  ;  and  in  the  morning,  my 
dear  wife  and  foine  others  coming  to  my  bed- 
fide^ 


JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  235 


fide,  I  alked  them,  if  they  knew  who  I  was : 
and  they  telling  me,  I  was  John  Woolman., 
thought  I  was  light-headed  :  for  I  told  them 
not  what  the  angel  faid,  nor  was  I  difpofed 
to  talk  much  to  any  one ;  but  was  very  dc- 
firous  to  get  fo  deep,  that  1  might  under- 
ftand  this  myftery. 

.  My  tongue  was  often  fo  dry,  that  I 
could  not  fpeak  till  I  had  moved  it  about 
^nd  gatherecl  ibme  moifture,  and  as  I  lay  flill 
for  a  time,  at  length  I  felt  divine  power  pre- 
pare my  mou.th  that  I  could  fpeak ;  and  then 
I  faid,  I  am  crucified  with  Chrift,  never- 
^'  thelefs  I  live;  yet  not  I,  but  Chrift  that 

liveth  ill  me  :  and  the  life  I  now  live  in  > 
■ '  the  fleih,  is  by  faith  in  the  Son  of  God, 

who  loved  me,  and  gave  himfelf  for  me." 

Then  the  myftery  was  opened ;  and  I  per- 
ceived there  was  joy  in  heaven  over  a  {inner 
who  had  repented;  and  that  that  language 
(John  WoohnoM  is  dead )  meant  no  more  than 
the  death  of  my  own  will. 

Soon  after  this  I  coughed,  and  raifed  much 
bloody  matter ;  which  I  had  not  done  during 
this  vifion :  and  now  my  natural  underfland- 
ing  returned  as  before. —Here  I  faw,  that 
people  getting  filver  vefTels  to  fet  off  their  ta- 
bles at  entertainments,  was  often  ftained  with 
worldly  glory ;  and  that  in  the  prefent  ftatc 
of  things,  1  ihould  take  heed  how  1  fed  my-  • 
felf  from  out  of  filver  velTels. 

Soon  after  my  recovery,  I,  going  to  our 
jnoathly-'meeting,  dmcd  at  a  friend's  houfe 

where 


MAM'  TOO  W  K'HO! 
%l6    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

where  drink  wa^  brought  in 

and  not  in  any  other  ;  and  I  wanting  v|o^ 
drink,  told  him  my  cafe  with  weeping :  and 
he  ordered  fonie  drink  for  me  in  another  vefo 

The  like  i'  afterwards  w^ent  through  in 
ftveral  friend's  houfes  in  America,  and  have 
alio  in  England,  fince  I  came  here  :  and  have 
caufe,  with  humble  reverence,  to  acknow- 
ledge the  loving-kindnefs  of  my  heavenly 
Father,  who  hath  preferved  me  in  fuch  a 
tender  frame  of  mind,  that  none,  I  believe, 
liave  ever  been  offended  at  what  I  have  faid 
on  that  occafion. 

After  this  ficknefs, ,  I  fpake  not  in  publick 
meetings  for  worfliip  for  near  one  year ;  but 
my  mind  was  very  often  in  company  with 
the  oppreiTed  flaves,  as  I  fat  in  meetings  : 
and  tho',  under  this  difpenfation,  I  v/as  Ihut 
up  from  fpeaking,  yet  the  fpring  of  the  gof- 
pel  miniftry  w^as,  many  times,  livingly  open- 
ed in  me  ;  and  the  divine  gift  operated  by 
abundance  of  weeping,  in  feeling  the  op- 
preiiion  of  this  people.  It  being  fo  long 
fince  I  paiTed  thro'  this  difpenfation,  and  the 
matter  remaining  frelh  and  livingly  in  my 
mind,  I  believe  it  fafeft  for  me  to  commit 


It  to  writing. 


The  thirtieth  day  of  the  month.  This 
morning  I  wrote  a  letter,  in  fubflance  ast 
^ollovv^s; 


Pelovecl 


OF    JOHN  WOOLMAM. 

Beloved  friend^ 

IV/fY  mind  is  often  afFe(!^ed  as  I  paft 
along,  under  a  fenfe  of  the  ftate  of 
many  poor  people,  who  fit  under  that  fort 
of  miniftry  which  reqviires  much  outward 
labour  to  fupport  it;  and  the  loving-kind- 
nefs  of  our  heavenly  Father,  in  opening  a 
pure  gofpel  miniftry  in  this  nation,  hath  of- 
ten raifed  thankfulnefs  in  my  heart  to  him. 
I  often  remember  the  conflidls  of  the  faith- 
ful under  perfecution,  and  now  look  at  the 
free  exercife  of  the  pure  gift  uninterrupted 
by  outward  laws,  as  a  truft  committed  to  us  ; 
which  requires  our  deepeft  gratitude,  and 
mofl  careful  attention.  I  feel  a  tender  con- 
cern, that  the  work  of  reformation,  fo  prof- 
peroufly  carried  on  in  this  land  within  a  few 
ages  pad,  may  go  forward  and  fpread  a- 
mongfl  the  nations  ;  and  may  not  go  back- 
ward, throj  dull  gathering  on  our  gannents, 
v/ho  have  been  called  to  a  work  fo  great  and 
fo  precious/' 

Laft  evening  I  had  a  little  opportunity 
at  thy  houfe,  with  fome  of  thy  family,  in 
thy  ab fence  ;  in  which  I  rejoiced  :  and  feel- 
ing a  fweetnefs  on  my  mind  toward  thee,  I 
now  endeavour  to  open  a  little  of  the  feeling 
I  had  there.'' 

I  have  heard,  that  you,  in  thefe  parts, 
have,  at  certain  feafons,  meetings  of  confer- 
ence, in  relation  to  friends  living  up  to  our 
principles,  ia  which  fe vera]  meetings  unite 
or  :  in 


?37 


The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS 

in  one ;  with  which  I  feel  vtnity :  I  havings 
in  fome  meafure,  felt  truth  lead  that  way 
amongft  friends  in  America  ;  and  have 
found,  my  dear  friend,  that  in  thefe  labours . 
all  fupcrfluities  in  our  own  living,  are  againft 
us,  I  feel  that  pure  love  toward  thee,  in 
which  there  is  freedom." 

I  look  at  that  precious  gift  beftowed  on 
thee,  with  awfulnefs  before  Him  who  gave 
it :  and  feel  a  care,  that  we  may  be  fo  fepa-* 
rated  to  the  gofpel  of  Chrift,  that  thofe  things 
which  proceed  from  the  fpirit  of  this  world, 
may  have  no  place  amongfl  us." 

Thy  friend, 
John  Woolman/* 

I  refted  a  few  days,  in  body  and  mind, 
with  our  friend  Jane  Crosfield  ;  who  was 
once  in  America :  was,  on  the  lixth  day  of 
the  week,  at  Kendal  in  Weftmoreland ;  and 
at  Greyrig  meeting  the  thirtieth  day  of  the 
month,  and  fir  ft  of  the  week, 

I  have  known  poverty  of  late;  and  been 
gracioufly  fupported  to  keep  in  the  patience : 
dtnd  am  thankful,  under  a  fenfe  of  the  good- 
nefs  of  the  Lord  toward  thofe  that  are  of  a 
contrite  fpirit. 

The  fixth  day  of  the  ninth  month,  an,d 
firft  of  the  week,  was  this  day  at  Counter- 
fide  ;  a  large  meeting-houle,  and  very  full : 
and  thro'  the  opening  of  pure  lovcy  it  was 

a^ftrengthen- 


OF    JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  239 

a  ftrengthening  time  to  me,  and  (I  believe) 
to  many  more. 

-  The  thirteenth  day  of  the  month.  Was 
this  day  at  Richmond,  a  fmall  meeting ;  but 
the  town's  people  coming  in,  the  houie  wa^ 
crowded:  it  was  a  time  of  heavy  labour ;  and 
(I  believe)  was  a  profitable  meeting. 

At  this  place  I  heard  that  my  kinfman 
William  Hunt  from  North  -  Carolina,  who 
was  on  a  religious  vifit  to  friends  in  Eng- 
land, departed  this  life  on  the  ninth  day  ot 
the  ninth  month,  inflant,  of  the  fmaii-pox, 
at  Newcaftle. — Ke  appeared  in  the  miniflry 
when  a  youth  ;  and  his  labours  therein  were 
of  good  favor.  He  travelled  much  in  that 
work  in  America.  I  once  heard  him  fay  in 
public  teilimony,  that  his  concern  was  (iii^ 
that  vifit)  to  be  devoted  to  the  fn^vice  of 
Chrift  fb  fully,  that  he  might  not  fpend  one 
minute  in  pieaiing  himfelf :  which  words^ 
joined  vnth  his  example,  was  a  means  of  ftir-- 
ring  up  the  pure  mind  in  me. 

Having  of  late  travelled  often  in  wet  wea- 
ther, thro'  narrow  ftreets  in  towns  and  vil-* 
kges,  where  diitlnefs  under  foot,  and  the 
fcent  arifing  from  that  filth,  which  more  or 
lefs  infed:s  the  air  of  all  thick  iertled  towns ; 
and  I  being  but  weakly,  have  felt  diilrefs 
both  in  body  and  mind  with  that  which  is 
impure. 

In  theie  journies  I  have  been  where  much 
eloih  hatn  been  dyed  ;  and  faadry  dines 

walked 


a4o    The  LIFE  AHt>  JI|AVELS 

walked  over  ground,  where  much  of  their 
dye  itu-ffs  have  drained  away. 

Here  I  havfe  felt  a  loiigirig  in  my  mind, 
that  people  might  come  into  cleannefs  of  fpi- 
rit,  cleannefs  of  perfon,  cleannefs  about  their 
houfes  and  garments. 

Some,  who  are  great,  carry  delicacy  to  a 
great  height  themfelves,  and  yet  the  real 
cleanlinfefs  is  not  generally  promoted.  Dyes 
being  invented  partly  to  pleafe  the  eye,  and 
partly  to  hide  dirt,  I  have  felt  in  this  weak 
ftate,  travelling  in  dirtinefs  and  affected  with 
unwholefome  fcents,  a  ftrong  defire  that  the 
nature  of  dyeing  cloth  to  hide  dirt  may  be 
more  fully  coniidered. 

To  hide  dirt  in  our  garments,  appears  op- 
polite  to  real  cleanlinefs. 

To  wafli  garments,  and  keep  them  fweet^ 
this  appears  cleanly. 

Thro'  giving  way  to  hiding  dirt  in  Dur 
garments,  a  fpirit  which  would  cover  that 
which  is  difagreeable,  is  ftrengthened. 

Real  cleannefs  becometh  a  holy  people  :, 
but  hiding  that  which  is  not  clean  by  colour-^ 
ing  our  garments,  appears  contrary  to  the 
fwcetnefs  of  iincerity. 

Thro'  fome  forts  of  dyes,  cloth  is  lefs  life- 
ful ;  and  if  the  value  of  dye-ftuffs,  the  ex- 
pence  of  dyeing,  and  the  damage  done  to 
tloth,  were  all  added  together,  and  that  ex- 
pence  applied  to  keep  all  fweet  and  clean^ 
how  much  more  cleanly  would  ^people  be.  . 

Near 


OF  John  wool  m  an. 

On  this  viiit  to  England  I  have  felt  fonie 
inftru(5lioris  fealed  on  my  mind,  which  I  ani 
concerned  to  leave  in  vmtirig,  for  the  ule  of 
lllch  who  are  called  to  the  Itation  of  a  mini- 
fter  of  Ghrifti 

Chriil  being  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  we 
being  no  more  than  iilinifters,  I  find  it  ne- 
ceiT^ry  for  us,  iidt  only  to  feel  a  concern  ill 
bur  firft  going  forth,  but  to  experience  the 
renewing  thereof,  in  the  appaintmciit  of 
tneetings. 

I  felt  a  concern  iux^merica,  to  drep^lre  for 
this  voyage ;  and  being  through  the  mercy 
of  God,  brought  fafe  here,  my  heart  wa^ 
like  a  vefTel  that  vvanted  vent ;  and  for  feve- 
'ral  weeks  at  firft,  when  my  mouth  was  open- 
ed in  meeting's,  it  often  felt  like  the  raiiincj- 
of  a  gate  in  a  water  courfe,  where  a  weight 
of  water  lay  upon  it ;  and  in  thefe  labours 
there  appeared,  a  frefh  vifitation  to  many^> 
efpecially  the  youth  ;  but  ibmetimes  after  this^ 
I  felt  empty  and  poor,  and  yet  felt  a  neceiTi- 
ty  to  appoint  meetings. 

In  this  ftate  I  was  exercifed  to  abide  ill  the 
pure  life  of  truth,  and  in  all  my  labours  to 
watch  diligently  againft  the  motions  of  lelf 
in  my  own  mind^ 

I  have  frequently  felt  a  iieceility  to  ftand 
up,  when  the  fpring  of  the  miniitry  was  low, 
and  to  fpeak  from  the  neceirity,  in  that  which 
fubjedleth  the  will  of  the  creatute  ;  and  here- 
in I  was  united  with  the  fiilierlni?  :bed.  and 
found  inward  fweetnefs  in  thefe  mcrtiiying 
labours  i 

U  As 


2A2    The  life  and  TRAVELS 


As  I  have  been  preferved  in  a  watchful  at-^ 
tention  to  the  divine  leader,  under  thefe  dif- 
penfations,  enlargement  at  times  hath  fol- 
lowed,, and  the  power  of  truth  hath  rofe  high- 
er in  fome  meetings,  than  I  ever  knew  it  be- 
fore through  me. 

Thus  I  have  been  more  and  more  inflrudl- 
ed,  as  to  the  neceffity  of  depending,  not  up- 
on a  concern  Vv^iich  I  felt  in  America,  to  come 
on  a  vilit  to  England  ;  but  upon  the  frefh  in- 
flru(ftions  of  Chrift  the  Prince  of  Peace,  from 
day  to  day. 

Nov.^  of  late,  I  felt  a  flop  in  the  appoint-* 
ment  of  meetings,  not  wholly  but  in  part;^' 
and  I  do  not  feel  liberty  to  appoint  them  fo 
quick  one  after  another  as  I  have  heretofore. 

The  work  of  the  miniftry,  being  a  work 
of  divine  love,  I  feel  that  the  openings  there- 
of are  to  be  waited  for,  in  all  our  appoint- 
ments. 

Oh  how  deep  is  divine  wifdom  !  Chrift  puts 
forth  his  minifters,  and  goeth  before  them  ; 
and  oh  how  great  is  the  danger  of  departing" 
from  the  pure  feeling  of  that  vv^hich  leadeth 
fafely  ! 

Chrift  laioweth  the  ftate  of  the  people,  and 
in  the  pure  feeling  of  the  gofpel  miniftry, 
their  Hates  are  opened  to  his  fervants. 

Chrift  knoweth  when  the  fruit-bearing 
branches  themfelvc^>  have  need  of  purging. 

Oh  that  thefe  leifons  may  be  remembered 
by  me  !  and  that  all  who  appoint  meetings, 
may  proceed  in  the  pure  feeling  of  duty* 

I  have 


o  m  .J <5  H  N   W  O  O  L  M  A  N.  24$ 


h^w  fbmetimes  felt  a  neceffity  to  ftcnid 
up,  -bi^t  that  fpirit  which  is  of  the  world 
hath  fo  much  prevailed  in  many,  and  the 
pure  life  of  truth  been  fo  preffed  down,  that 
I  have  gone  forward,  not  as  one  travelling 
in  a  road  caft  up,  and  well  prepared,  but  as 
a  man  walking  through  a  miry  place,  in 
which  are  ftones  here  and  there,  fafe  to  flep 
Qflt  I  but  fb  fituated  that  one  ftep  being  taken^ 
time  is  necefTary  to  fee  where  to  ftep  next.  / 

Now  I  find  that  in  the  pure  obedience,  the 
mind  learns  contentment,  in  appearing  weak 
and  foolifh  to  that  wifdom  which  is  of  the 
world  ;  and  in  thefe  lowly  labours,  they  who 
ftand  in  a  low  place,  rightly  exercifed  under 
the  crofs,  will  find  nourifliment* 

The  gift  is  pure,  and  while  the  eye  is  An- 
gle in  attending  thereto,  the  underftanding 
is  preferved  clear  ;  felf  is  kept  out ;  we  rejoice 
in  filling  up  that  which  remains  of  the  af- 
flictions of  Chrift,  for  his  body's  fake,  which 
is  the  church.  , 

The  natural  man  loveth  eloquence,  and 
Hiany  love  to  hear  eloquent  orations  ;  and  if 
there  is  not  a  careful  attention  to  the  giftr, 
men  who  have  once  laboured  in  the  pure  gof- 
pel  miniftry,  growing  weary  of  fuffering^ 
and  afhamed  of  appearing  weak,  may  kindle 
a  fire,  compafs  themfelves  about  with  fparks^ 
and  walk  in  the  light ;  not  of  Chrift  who  is 
under  fuffering  ;  but  of  that  fire,  which  they^ 
going  from  the  gift,  have  kindled  :  And  that 
in  hearers,  which  is  gone  from  the  meek  fuf- 
fering ftate,  into  the  worldly  wifdom,  may 

R  2  be 


444    The  LIFE  and  TRAVELS  ^ 

be  warmed  with  this  fire,  and  fpeak  highly 
of  thefe  labours.  That  which  is  of  God  ga- 
thers to  God ;  and  that  which  is  of  the  world 
is  owned  by  the  world. 

In  this  journey  a  labour  hath  attended  my 
mind,  that  the  miniflers  amongfl  us  may  be 
preferved  in  the  meek  feeling  life  of  truth, 
where  we  may  have  no  defire,  but  to  follow 
Chrift  and  be  with  him ;  that  when  he  is  un- 
der fuffering  we  may  fuffer  with  him  ;  and 
never  defire  to  rife  up  in  dominion,  but  as 
he  by  the  virtu.e  of  his  own  fpirit  may  raifc 
us* 


A  few  days  after  writing  thefe  confiderati- 
ons,  our  dear  friend  in  the  courfe  of  his  reli- 
gious vilits,  came  to  the  city  of  York,  and 
attended  moft  of  the  fittings  of  the  quarterly 
meeting  there ;  but  before  it  was  over,  was 
taken  ill  of  the.  frnail-pox.  Our  friend  Tho- 
mas Prieflman  and  others  who  attended  him, 
preferved  t-he  follovvdng  minutes  of  his  expref- 
fions  in  the  time  of  his  ficknefs,  and  of  hi$ 
deceafe. 

I  ft  day,  the  27th  of  the  9th  month  1772. 
His  diforder  appeared  to  be  the  fmall-pox: 
being  afked  to  have  a  doctor's  advice,  he  fig- 
nified  he  had  not  freedom  or  liberty  in  his 
mind  fo  to  do,  ftandin^  wholly  refigned  to 
his  will,  who  gave  him  life,  and  whole  pow*-: 

he  had  witneiTed  to  raife  and  heal  him  in 
ficknefs  before,  when  he  feemed  nigh  unto 
death  ;  and  if  he  vv^as  to  wind  up  now,  he 

was 


ol-jOHN   WOOL  MAN.  245 


was  perfe<5lly  refigned,  having  no  will  eltlicr 
to  live  or  die,  and  did  not  choofe  any  fhoiiid. 
be  fent  for  to  him  :  but  a  yoiing  man,  ail 
apothecary,  coming  of  his  o#n  accords  the 
next  day,  and  defiring  to  do  fometuing  for 
hiiil,  he  faid  he  found  a  freedom  td  confer 
with  him  and  the  other  friends  about  hiM^ 
and  if  any  thing  fhould  be  propofed,  as  to 
medicine  that  did  not  come  thro'  defiled  chan-^ 
nels  or  opprefTive  hands^  he  fliould  be  vv^ii- 
ling  to  confider  and  take  it,  fo  far  as  he 
found  freedom. 

2d  day.  He  faid  he  felt  the  diforder  to  af- 
fe6l  his  head,  fo  that  he  could  think  little, 
and  but  as  a  child  ;  and  defired  if  his  under- 
ftanding  fhould  be  more  affedled,  to  have 
nothing  given  him  that  thofe  about  knew  he 
had  a  tellimony  againft. 

Third-day  he  uttered  the  following  pray- 
er.— O  Lord  my  God,  the  amazing  hor- 
rors of  darknefs  were  gathered  around  me 
and  covered  me  all  over,  and  I  faw  no  way 
to  go  forth ;  I  felt  the  depth  and  extent  of 
the  mifery  of  my  fellow  creatures  feparated 
from  the  divine  harmony^  and  it  was  heavi- 
er than  I  cculd  bear,  and  1  was  crufhed  down 
under  it,  I  lifted  up  my  hand,  I  ftretched 
out  my  arm,  but  there  was  none  to  help  me ; 
I  looked  round  about  and  was  amazed  ;  in 
the  depths  of  mifery,  O  Lord!  I  remembered 
that  thou  art  omnipotent,  that  I  had  called 
thee  Father,  and  I  felt  that  I  loved  thee,  and 
I  was  made  quiet  in  thy  will,  and  I  waited 
for  deliverance  from  thee  i  thou  hadft  pity 

UpOUfe 


146    The  life   and  TRAVEi;$ 


upon  me  when  no  man  could  help  me ;  I  few 
that  med^nefs  tinder  fufFering  was  fhewed  to 
ns  in  the  mofi  afFedting  example  of  thy  Son, 
and  thou  taught  me  to  follow  him,  and  1 1 
faid     thy  will  O  Father  be  done/' 

Fourtli  day  morning,  being  alked  how  lie 
felt  himfelf,  he  meekly  anf\vered,  I  don't 
know  that  I  have  ilepl:  this  night,  I  feel  the 
diforder  making  its  progrefs,  but  my  mind 
is  mercifully  prefer ved  in  ftillnefs  and  peace : 
fometime  after:  he  faid  he  was  fenfible  the 
pains  of  death  muft  be  hard  to  bear,  but  if 
he  efcaped  them  now,  he  muft  fometime  pafs 
thro'  them,  and  he  did  not  know  that  he 
could  be  better  prepared,  but  had  no  will  in 
it.  He  faid  he  had  fettled  his  outward  af- 
fairs to  his  mind,  had  taken  leave  of  his 
wife  and  family  as  never  to  return,  leaving 
them  to  the  divine  prote6lion;  adding,  and 
tlio'  I  feel  them  near  to  me  at  this  time,  yet 
I  freely  give  them  up,  having  a  hope  that 
they  will  be  provided  for.  And  a  little  after 
faid,  This  trial  is  made  eafier  than  I  could 
have  thought,  my  will  being  wholly  taken 
away  ;  for  if  I  was  anxious  for  the  event 
it  would  have  been  harder,  but  - 1  am  not, 
and  my  mind  enjoys  a  perfe6l  calm. 

In  the  night  a  young  woman  having  given 
him  fomething  to  drink,  he  faid,  My  child 
thou'feems  very  kind  to  me  a  poor  creature, 
the  Lord  will  reward  thee  for  it.  Awhile  af- 
ter he  cried  out  with  great  earneftnefs  of 
ipirit.  Oh  my  Father  !  my  Father !  and  foon 
after  he  faid^  Oh  my  Father !  my  Father ! 


OF  JOHN    WOOL  MAN.  247 


how  comfortable  art  thou  to  my  foul  in  this 
trying  feafon.  Being  aiked  if  he  could  take 
a  little  nourifhment ;  after  fome  paufe  he  re- 
plied, my  child  I  cannot  tell  what  to  fay  to 
it ;  I  feem  nearly  arrived  where  my  foul  iliall 
have  reft  from  all  its  troubles.  After  giving 
in  fomething  to  be  inferted  in  his  journal ^ 
he  faid,  I  believe  the  Lord  will  nov^r  excufe 
me  from  exercifes  of  this  kind ;  and  I  fee  no 
work  but  one  which  is  to  be  the  laft  wrought 
by  me  in  this  world,  the  meflenger  v/ill  come 
that  will  releafe  me  from  all  thefe  troubles  ; 
but  it  mufl  be  in  the  Lord's  time,  which  I 
am  waiting  for.  He  faid  he  had  laboured  to 
do  whatever  was  required,  according  to  the 
ability  received,  in  the  remembrance  of 
which  he  had  peace;  and  tho'  the  diforder 
was  ftrong  at  times,  and  would  hke  a  whirl- 
wind come  over  his  mind  ;  yet  it  had  hither- 
to been  kept  fteady  and  centered  in  everlall- 
ing  love;  adding,  and  if  that  be  mercifully 
continued,  I  afk  nor  defire  no  more.  An- 
other time  he  faid,  he  had  long  had  a  view 
of  vifiting  this  nation,  and  fometime  before 
he  came  had  a  dream,  in  which  he  faw 
himfelf  in  the  northern  parts  of  it,  and  that 
the  fpring  of  the  gofpel  was  opened  in  him 
much  as  in  the  beginning  of  fiiends,  fuch  as 
George  Fox  and  William  Dewfoerry,  and  he 
faw  the  different  ftates  of  the  people,  as  clear 
as  he  had  ever  feen  flowers  in  a  garden ;  but 
in  his  going  along  he  was  faddenly  ftopr,, 
Xho'  he  goi^ild  not  fee  far  what  end  ;  but 

looking 


joo|ciog>  jpwanls^  hoa^ae,  fell  iijto  a  iloo^  of 

t^ars,. whi^ih.  wak(^ci  him.  j  mirn.  jiXviuoj  ijh.(y^ 
• . ,  At  ^im-  he  faidr  my ^iimight  fcemT 

i^^  MxoB^f\^Wsv^v(^  North,  and  I  men- 
ticmcfl:  i>i:^T/Qwiirp>anthl7--meeting,  that 
attending .  jjlje ,  qn^^  at  York, 

find  Jibing  there  looked  like  liome  to  me, 

Fifth-Td5i.7  night,  having  repeatedly  con- 
fente^l  tt0<;t;4;ke  mediolne  with  a  view  to  fettle 
14s  ftona^^ch,  but  without  eiTeCi  ;  the  friend 
then  .Vi^atitirig  on  liiin,  fiid  thro'  diftrefs, 
what  fliall  I  do  now  ?  He  anfwered  with  areat 
iG qiii,p Of  111^,  R  eyer  more,  and  in  every- 
thing give  thanks  -  but  added  a  little  after-j 
this  is  fbmetimes  hard  to  come  at. 

Sixth-day  morning  he  brpke  forth  early  m 
/application  on  this  yvife,  O  Lord  it  was  thy 
power  that  enabled  me  to  forfike  fin  in  my 
youth,  and  I  have  felt  thy  bruiies  for  dif^ 
obedience  ;  but  as  I  bowed  under  them  thou 
liealed  me,  continuing  aiather  ai:td^afriend  ; 
I  feel  thy  povvcr  now,  and  I  beg  that  in  tk? 
appro;jchii1g  trying  moment  Thou  wdlt  keep 
my  heart  ftcdfaft  uRto  thee.  Upon  his  givr 
ing  direction3  tp  a  friend  concerning  fbme 
little  things,  llie  faid  I  will  take  care,  but 
hope  thou  wilt  live  to  order  th<?m  thyfelf ; 
lie  reply'd,  my  hope  is  in  Chrift,  and  tho'  I 
may  fpem  a  little  better,  a  change  in  the  dif-f 
prder  uiay  foon  happen,  and  my  Httle  ftrength 
pe  diilolved,  and  if  it  fo  happens,  I  fliali  b^ 
gathered  to  my  everlafting  reft.  On  her  fay? 
ing  ihe  did  not  doubt  that,  but  could  not 
help  i^iourning  to  fee  fo  many  faithful  fer- 

yantg 


J0HN   WOOL  M  AR  ±49 

kaMs  temoved  at  ib  low  a  time  ;  he  faid  all 
good  cometli  from  the  Lord,  whofe  power  is 
the  fame,  and  can  work  as  he  fees  befl»  Tho 
fame  day  he  had  given  diredlions  about 
wa^apping  his  corpfe  ;  perceiving  a  friend  to 
weep,  he  faid  I  would  rather  thou  wouidft 
guard  againft  weeping  for  me,  my  fifcer,  I 
forrow  not,  tho'  I  have  had  fome  painful  con- 
fli£ls,  but  now  they  feem  over  and  matters 
well  fettled,  and  I  look  at  the  face  of  my 
dear  redeemer,  for  fweet  is  his  voice  aQd 
his  countenance  is  comely. 

Firft--day,  fourth  of  the  tenth  month,  being 
very  weak  and  in  general  difficult  to  be  un- 
derftood,  he  uttered  a  tew  words  in  comme- 
moration of  the  Lord's  goodnefs ;  and  add-^ 
ed,  how  tenderly  have  1  been  waited  on  iii 
this  time  of  afili<£tion,  in  which  I  may  fiij 
in  Job'3  words,  Tedious  days  and  wearifome 
nights  are  appQiuted  iinto  rne,  and  how  ma- 
ny are  fpending  their  time  and  money  in 
vanity  and  fuperfluitics,  Vvdiile  thoufands 
gnd  tens  of  thoufands  want  the  neceflaries  of 
life,  who  might  be  relieved  by  them,  and 
their  diftrelics  at  fuch  a  time  as  this,  in  foaie 
degree  fbftened  by  the  adminiilring  fiiitable 
filings. 

Second-day  morning  the  apothecary  who 
appeared  very  anxious  to  affift  him,  being  • 
prefent,  he  queried  about  the  probability  of 
fuch  a  load  of  matter  being  thrown  off  his 
v/eak  body,  and  the  apothecary  making  ibme 
remarks  implying  he  thought  it  might ;  ho 
fpoke  with       audible  voice  on  this  wife,. 


5^50    TiiE  LIFE  AND  TRAVELS 

My  dependance  is  on  the  Lord  Jefus,  who  I 
truft  will  forgive  my  iins,  which  is  all  I  hope 
for,  and  if  it  be  his  will  to  raife  up  this  body 
again,  I  am  content ;  and  if  to  die,  I  am  re- 
figned  ;  and  if  thou  canft  not  be  eafy  with- 
out trying  to  aflift  nature,  I  fubmit :  after 
which  his  throat  Vv^as  fo  much  afFed:ed,  that 
it  was  very  difficult  for  him  to  fpeak  fo  as  to 
be  underftood,  and  frequently  wrote  when 
he  wanted  any  thing.  About  the  fecond 
hour  on  fourth-day  morning  he  aiked  for 
pen  and  ink,  and  at  feveral  times  with  much 
difficulty  wrote  thus,  I  believe  my  being 
here  is  in  the  wifdom  of  Chrift,  I  know  not 
as  to  life  or  death. 

About  a  quarter  before  fix  the  fame  morn- 
ing he  feemed  to  fall  into  an  eafy  fleep,  v/hicli 
continued  about  half  an  hour,  v/hen  feeming 
to  awake,  he  breathed  a  few  times  with  more 
tiifficulty,  and  expired  without  figh,  groan^ 
or  ftruggle. 


END    OF    THE  JOURKAI.^ 


ad  3" 


THE 


O  R  K  S 

0  F 

JOHN  WOOLMAN. 

PART  the  SECOND. 

^  Containing  his  Last  EPISTLE  and  liig 
other  WRITINGS, 


PHILADELPHIA: 

Peikted  by  JOSEPH  CRUKSHANK,  in  Market- 
Street,  BETWEEN  Second  akd  Third  Streets. 


M.DCC.I.XXIV. 


^s'    O    M  E 

CONSIDERATIONS 

On  the  K  E  E  P  I  N  G  of 
N     E      G      R      0      E  S. 

Recommended  to  the  Profeflbrs  of  Chrifti- 
anity  of  every  DenoiHination.^ 

f  Firfl  printed  in  the  year  1754.7 


INTRODUCTION, 

U  S  T  O  M  S  generally  approved^  and  opi- 
nions  received  by  youth  from  their  fupe^ 
*  riors^  become  like  the  natural  produce  of  a  foii^ 
efpe  daily  ^hen  they  are  fuited  to  favourite  in" 
clinations  :  but  as  the  judgments  of  God  are 
uuithout  partiality^  by  vuhich  the  fate  of  the 
foul  mufi  be  tried^  it  voould  be  the  highefl  vuif* 
doni  to  forego  ctifloms  and  popular  opinions^  and 
try  the  treafures  of  the  foul  by  the  infallible 
Jlandard  truth. 

Natural  aflfecftion  7ieeds  a  careful  examina" 
tion :  operating  upon  us  in  a  foft  manner y  it 
dles  defres  of  love  and  tendernefs^  and  there  is 
danger  of  taking  it  for  fomething  higher^  To 


254   I  ^  T  H  D  D  XTvX:  JT  I  D  N.i 

me  it  appears  an  in/iinB  like  that  ivhich  inferior 
creatures  have  ;  each  of  theni^  ive  fee^  by  the  ^ 
ties  of  nature^  love  felf  befl  ;  that  vi)hich  is  a 
part  of  felf,  they  love  by  the  fame  tie  or  in-* 
JiinB.  In  them  it^  in  fome  meafure^  does  the  ofk  ^ 
fcesi  of  reafon^  by  ivhich^  among  other  things^ 
they  voatchfully  keep^  and  orderly  feed  their 
helplefs  offspring.    Thus  natural  affedlion  ^/)-  . 
pears  to  be  a  branch  of  felf-love,  good  in  the 
animal  race^  in  us  likevuife^  ivith  proper  limit a-^ 
tions ;  but  otherivife  is  productive  of  evil^  by 
exciting  deftres  to  promote  fome  by  means  pr^ju-^. 
dicial  to  others* 

Our  hleffcd  Saviour  feems  to  give  a  check  t6 
this  irregular  fondncfs  in  nature.^  and^  at  the^ 
fame  tijne^  a  precedent  for  us:      Who  is  my 
^'  mother,  and  who  are  my  brethren?"  there-- 
hy  intimating y  that  the  earthly  ties  of  relation^ 
Jhip^  are^  comparatively ^  tnconftderahle  to  fich^. 
ivho^  thro'  a  fttady  courfe  of  obedience^  have- 
come-  to  the  happy  experience  of  the  fpirvt:  of 
God  hearing  vuitncfs  vuith  their  fptrits  that' they 
are  his  children  :  — And  he  llretched  forth 
*^  hiis  hands  towards  his  difciples,  and  faid^ 
Behold  my  mother,  and  my  brethren  :  Fojf  ^ 
whofoever  fliall  do  the  will  of  my  Fa--^ 
thcr  which  is  in  heaven  ( arrives  at  ths\ 
more  noble  part  of  true  relationfhip)     the  fame 
*•  is  my  brother,  and  fifter,  and  mother,'* 
Mz//;  xH.  48. 

This  doMrine  agrees  vqcU  vuith  a  fate  truly 
C07npleat^  when  loY€  neceffarily  operates  ac- 
^.     :  ^   .  ■  ■  cording^ 


I  N  T  R  O  D  U  C  T  I  O  N.  255. 

cording  to  the  agi^eeablenefs  of  things  on  princi^ 
pies  unalterable  and  in  thcnij elves  perfeEi. 

If  endeavouring  to  have  rny  children  emine?tt 
among f  tnen  after  my  death^  he  that  which  no 
reafons  grounded  on  thofe  principles  can  be  brought 
to  fupport ;  then  to  he  temperate  in  my  purfuit 
after  gain^  and  to  keep  alvuays  vuithin  the 
bounds  of  thofe  principles^  is  an  indfpenfahle 
duty^  and  to  depart  from  it^  a  dark  unfruitful 
toil. 

In  our  prefent  condition^  to  love  our  children 
is  needful ;  hut  except  this  love  proceeds  from 
the  true  heavenly  principle  vuhich  fees  beyond 
earthly  treafures^  it  vuill  rather  he  injurious 
than  of  any  real  advantage  to  them :  ivhere  tht 
fountain  is  corrupt^  the  Jlreams  mufl  neceffarily 
be  impure. 

That  important  injunSlion  of  our  Saviour^ 
Matt.  vi.  33,  ivith  the  Promtfe  annexed^  con-- 
tains  a  fnort  hut  comprehenfive  vievo  of  our  du-^ 
ty  and  happinefs : — If  then  the  bufinefs  of  man- 
kind in  this  life^  is^  to  firf  feek  another ;  if  this 
cannot  he  done^  hut  by  attending  to  the  means  ; 
if  a  fummary  of  the  means  is^  Not  to  do  that 
to  another  v/hich,  in  like  circumftances,  we 
would  not  have  done  unto  us,  then  thefe  arc 
points  of  moment^  and  vuorthy  of  our  mojl  feri- 
ous  conftderation. 

What  I  ivrite  on  this  fubjeSi  is  vuith  reluB^ 
anccy  and  the  hints  given  are  in  as  general 
terms  as  my  concern  vuould  allo%v :  I  know  it  is 
a  point  about  vuhich^  in  all  its  branches^  men 
that  appear  to  aim  well  are  not  generally  /i- 

I  greed ; 


2^6   I  N  T  R  O  13  U  C  T  I  O  N. 

greed ;  and  for  that  reafon^  I  chofe  to  avoid  he-^ 
ing  very  particular r — If  I  may  happily  have  let 
drop  any  thing  that  7ndy  excite  fuch  as  are  con- 
cerned in  the  practice  to  a  clqfe  thinking  on  the 
Jubjeci  treated  oJ\  the  candid  ajnongji  them  ?nay 
eajily  do  the  JubjeSi  fuch  further  jiiflice^  as^  'on 
an  impartial  enquiry^  it  may  appear  to  deferve  ; 
and  Juch  a?i  enquiry  I  vuould  earnefly  reconi-^ 
mend^ 


SOME 


'S     O     M  P 

C  O  N  S  I  D  E  R  A  T  I  O:  N  S, 


Matt,  xxv.  40' 

/  Forafimich  as  ye  did  it  to  the  Icajl  of  tbefc  my 
^  brethren^  ye  did  it  unto  me.^ 

S  many  times  there  are  different  mo*-^ 
tives  to  the  fame  adlions  ;  and  one 
does  that  from  a  generous  hearty 
which  another  does  for  felfiih  ends. The 
like  may  be  faid  in  this  cafe. 

There  are  various  circumftances  amongfl 
them  that  keep  negroes,  and  different  ways 
by  which  they  fall  under  their  care ;  and,  I 
doubt  not,  there  are  many  well-difpofcd  per- 
fons  amongfc  them  who  deilre  rather  to  ma-^ 
nage  wilely  and  juftly  in  this  difncult  mat-^ 
ter,  than  toi  make  gain  of  it. 

But  the  general  difadvantage  which  thele 
poor  Africans  lie  under  in  an  enlight'ned- 
chriftian  country,  haviog  of::en  filled  itie  with 
real  fadnels,  and  been  l;kc  undi-^*eited  matter 
on  my  mindj  I  now  think  it  my  duty,  thro' 
divine  aid,  to  offer  forne  thoughts  thereon  to 
the  confideration  of  others. 


258   CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


When  we  remember  that  all  nations  are  ojp^ 
one  blood,  Gen  iii.  20.  that  in  this  world  we 
are  but  fojourners,  that  we  are  fubjedl  to  the 
like  afflidlions  and  infirmities  of  body,  the 
like  diforders  and  frailties  in  mind,  the  like 
temptations,  the  fame  death^  and  the  fame 
judgment,  and,  that  the  all- wife  Being  is 
Judge  and  Lord  over  us  all,  it  feems  to  raife 
all  idea  of  a  general  brotherhood,  and  a  dif- 
pofition  eaf  j  to  be  touched  with  a  feeling  of 
each  others  affliclions :  but  when  we  forget 
thofe  things,  and  look  chiefly  at  our  out- 
ward circumftances,  in  this  and  fome  ages 
paft,  conftantly  retaining  in  our  minds  the 
diftinflion  betwixt  us  and  them,  with  re- 
fpe(5l  to  our  knowledge  and  improvement  in 
things  divine,  natural  and  artificial,  our 
breads  being  apt  to  be  filled  with  fond  no- 
tions of  lliperiority,  there  is  danger  of  err- 
ing in  our  condudl  toward  them. 

We  allow  them  to  be  of  the  fame  fpecies 
with  ourfelves ;  the  odds  is,  we  are  in  a  high- 
er ftation,  and  enjoy  greater  favours  than 
they.  And  when  it  is  thus,  that  our  heaven- 
ly Father  endoweth  fome  of  his  children  with 
diftinguiihed  gifts,  they  are  intended  for 
good  ends  ;  but  if  thofe  thus  gifted  are 
thereby  lifted  up  above  their  brethren,  not 
confidering  themfelves  as  debtors  to  the 
weak,  nor  behaving  themfelves  as  faithful 
ftevv^ards,  none^  w^ho  judge  impartially  can 
fuppofe  them  free  from  ingratitude. 

\Vhen  a  people  dwell  under  the  liberal  di- 
;flribution  of  flivours  from  heaven,  it  be- 
hoves 


Keeping   of  .NEGROES,  15^ 

lioves  them  carefully  to  infpe(?l:  their  v/ays^ 
and'  confider  the  purpofes  for  \xhich  thofe 
favours  Were  bellowed^  left^  thro'  forgetful- 
nefs  of  God,  and  mifuiing  his  gifts^  they  in- 
cur his  heavy  difpleafufe,  whofe  judgments 
are  juft  and  equal,  who  exalteth  and  hum- 
bleth  to  the  duft  as  he  feeth  m^et. 

It  appears,  by  Holy  Record,  that  men  un- 
der hip-h  favours  have  been  apt  to  err  in  their 
opinions  concerning  others.  Thus  Ifrael,  ac- 
cording to  the  defcription  of  the  prophet, 
Ifa,  Ixv.  5.  when  exceedhigly  corrupted  and 
degenerated,  yet  remembered  they  were  thd 
chofen  people  of  God;  and  could  fay,  Stand 

by  thyfelf,  come  not  neat  me,  for  I  am  ho- 

lier  than  thou."  That  this  was  no  chance 
language,  but  their  common  Opinion  of  other 
people,  more  fully  appears,  by  confidering 
the  circumilances  which  attended  when  God 
was  beginning  to  fulfil  his  preciotis  promifes 
concerning  the  gathering  of  the  Gentiles* 

The  Moft-High,  in  a  vifion,  Undeceived 
Peter,  firft  prepared  his  heart  to  believe  j 
and,  at  the  houfe  of  Cornelius,  fhewed  him 
of  a  certainty  that  God  was  no  refpecfler  of 
perfons. 

The  efrufion  of  the  Hdl^  Ghoft  upon  a 
people,  with  whom  they,  the  JcwiHi  chrif-* 
tians  .would  not  fo  mlich  as  eat,  was  ftrange 
to  them  :  All  they  of  the  cifcumci{ion  were 
aftonilhed  to  fee  it  j  and  the  apoilles  and  bre-^ 
thren  of  Judea  contended  \vith  Peter  about 
it,  till  he,  having  rehearfed  the  whole  mat- 
ter, and  fully  flaewn  that  the  Father's  love 

S  a  was 


^6o    CONSIDERATIONS  on  tiIe 


was  unlimited,  they  are  thereat  flruck  with 
admiration,  and  cry  out,  *^  Then  hath  God 

alfo  to  the  Gentiles  granted  repentance 

unto  Hfel'' 

The  opinion  of  pecuUar  favours  being  con- 
fined to  them,  was  deeply  rooted,  or  elfe  the 
above  inflance  had  been  lefs  ftrange  to  them, 
for  thefc  reafons  :  Firfl,  They  were  generally 
acquainted  with  the  v/ri tings  of  the  pro- 
phets, by  whom  this  time  was  repeatedly 
Ipoken  of,  and  pointed  at.    Secondly,  Oar 
bleiTed  Lord  Ihortly  before  exprefly  faid,  ^'  I 
have  other  flieep,  not  of  this  fold,  them 
alio  muft  I  bring,"  &c.  Laftly,  His  words 
to  them  after  his  refurredlion,  at  the  very 
time  of  his  afcenfion,     Ye  ihall  be  witnelTes 
to  me,  not  only  in  Jerufalem,  Judea,  and 
Samaria,  bvit  to  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the 
earth 

Thofe  concurring  circumflances,  one  would 
think,  might  have  raifed  a  ftrong  expectation 
of  feeing  fvich  a  time ;  yet,  when  it  came,  it 
proved  matter  of  offence  and  aftonifhment. 

To  confider  mankind  otherwife  than  bre-^ 
thren,  to  think  favours  are  peculiar  to  one 
nation,  and  exclude  others,  plainly  fuppofes 
a  darknefs  in  th^  underftanding :  for  as  God's, 
love  is  univerfal,  fo  where  the  mind  is  fuf- 
ficiently  influenced  by  it,  it  begets  a  likenefs 
of  itfelf,  and  the  heart  is  enlarged  towards 
all  men.  Again,  to  conclude  a  people  fro- 
ward,  perverfe,  and  worfe  by  nature  than 
others  (who  ungratefully  receive  favours, 
and  apply  them  to  bad  cuds)  this  will  excite 

a  tjehaviour 


Keeping   of  NEGROES.  261 


a  behaviour  toward  them  unbecoming  the 
excellence  of  true  religion. 

To  prevent  fuch  error,  let  us  calmly  confi- 
der  their  circumftance ;  and,  the  better  to  do 
it,  make  their  cafe  ours,  Suppofe,  then, 
that  our  anceftors  and  we  had  been  expofed 
to  conftant  fervitude,  in  the  more  fervile  and 
inferior  employments  of  life  ;  that  we  had 
been  deftitute  of  the  help  of  reading  and  good 
company  ;  that  amongft  ourfelves  we  had 
had  few  wife  and  pious  inftrudlors  ;  that  the 
religious  amongft  our  fuperiors  feldom  took 
notice  of  us  ;  that  while  others,  in  eafe, 
have  plentifully  heaped  up  the  fruit  of  our 
labour,  we  had  received  barely  enough  to  re- 
lieve nature  ;  and  being  wholly  at  the  com- 
mand of  others,  had  generally  been  treated 
as  a  contemptible,  ignorant  part  of  man- 
kind :  Ihould  we,  in  that  cafe,  be  lefs  abjedl 
than  they  now  are  ?  Again,  If  oppreflion  be 
fo  hard  to  bear,  that  a  wife  man  is  made 
mad  by  it,  Eccl,  vii.  7.  then  a  feries  of  thofe 
things  altering  the  behaviour  and  manners 
of  a  people,  is  what  may  reafonably  be  ex- 
peded. 

When  our  property  is  taken  contrary  to 
our  mind,  by  means  appearing  to  us  unjuft, 
it  is  only  through  divine  influence,  and  the 
enlargement  of  heart  from  thence  proceed- 
ing, thrtt  we  can  love  our  reputed  oppref- 
fors :  if  the  Negroes  fall  ihort  in  this,  an 
uneafy,  if  not  a  difconfolate  difpoiition,  will 
be  awakened,  and  remain  like  feeds  in  their 
minds,  producing  floth  and  many  other  ha- 


262    CONSIDERATIONS  ON  the 


bits  appearing  odious  to  us  ;  with  which ^  he^ 
ing  free  men,  they,  perhaps,  had  not  beeu 
chargeable.  Thefe,  and  other  circumftances, 
rightly  conlidered,  Vv^ll  leffen  that  too  great 
difparity,  which  foine  make  between  us  and 
them. 

Integrity  of  heart  hath  appeared  in  fome 
of  them ;  lo  that,  if  we  continue  in  the  word 
of  Chrlft  (previous  to  difciplefhip,  John  viii. 
31.)  and  our  coadu6l  towards  them  be  fea-^ 
foned  with  his  love,  we  may  hope  to  fee  the 
good  efFedl  of  it:  the  which,  in  a  good  de- 
gree, is  the  cafe  with  fome  into  whofe  hands 
they  have  fallen  :  but  that  too  many  treat 
them  othcrwife,  not  feeroing  confcious  of 
any  ncglecl,  is,  alas  !  too  evident. 

When  felf-love  prefides  in  pur  minds,  our 
opinions  are  biafled  in  otu^*own  favour  ;  in 
this  condition,  being  concerned  with  a  peo- 
ple lb  lituated,  that  they  have  no  yoice  to 
plead  their  ovni  caiife,  there's  danger  of  uf- 
ing  ourfelves  to  an  undifturbed  partiality, 
till,  by  long  cuflom,  the  mind  becomes  re- 
conciled with  it,  and  the  judgment  itfeif  in- 
fecl:ed. 

To  humbly  apply  to  God  for  wifdom,  that 
we  may  thereby  be  enabled  ta  fee  things  as 
they  are,  and  ought  to  be,  is  very  needful  ; 
hereby  the  hidden  things  of  darknefs  may 
be  brought  to  light,  and  the  judgment  made 
clear :  we  fliall  then  confider  mankind  as  bre-- 
thren.  Though  different  degrees  and  a  vari- 
ety of  qualifications  and  abilities,  one.  de- 
pendant on  another,  be  admitted,  yet  high 

thought.^ 

•  /  ,      ^  •  '  ■ 


Keeping    of  NEGROES.  263 


thoughts  will  be  laid  afide,  and  al!  men  treat- 
ed as  becometh  the  fons  of  one  ftither,  agree- 
able to  the  dodlrine  of  Chrift  Jcfus, 

"  He  hath  laid  down  the  befl  criterion, 
by  which  mankind  ought  to  judge  of  their 
own  conduct,  and  others  judge  for  them  of 
theirs,  one  towards  another^  viz.  What- 
foever  ye  would  that  men  ihould  do  unto 
you,  do  ye  even  fo  to  them.'l    I  take  it, 
that  all  men  by  nature,  are  equally  entitled 
.  to  the  equity  of  this  rule,  and  under  the  in- 
difpenfable  obligations  of  it.  One  man  ought 
not  to  look  upon  another  man,  or  fociety  of 
men,  as  fo  far  beneath  him  ;  but  that  he 
fliould  put  hirdfelf  in  their  place,  in  all  his 
adlions  towards  them,  and  bring  all  to  this 
teft,  viz.  How  fhould  I  approve  of  this  con- 
'  dud:,  were  I  in  their  circumftance,  and  they 
in  mine      A.  Arfcot's  Conliderations,  p.  III. 
foL  107. 

This  doclrine  being  of  a  moral  unchange- 
able nature,  hath  been  like  wife  inculcated  in 
the  former  difpenfation ;      If  a  ftranger  fo- 
journ  with  thee  in  your  land,  ye  lhall  not 
vex  him;  but  the  ftranger  that  dwelleth 
with  you,  fliall  be  as  one  born  amongil 
,     you,  and  thovi  flialt  love  him  as  thyfelf/' 
Lev.  xix.  3^,  34.  Had  thefe  people  come  vo- 
luntary and  dwelt  amongft  us,  to  have  called 
them  ftrangers  would  be  proper;  and  their 
being  brought  by  force,  with  regret,  and  a 
languilhing  mind,  may  well  raife  compaffion 
in  a  heart  rightly  difpofed  :  but  there  is  no- 
thing in  fuch  treatment,  which  upon  a  wife 


^64    GONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

and  jutikipBj  coniideratipu,  will  amy  way$ 
leiTeri  their  right  of  being  treated  as  ftran- 
gers.  If  the  treatment  which  many  of  them 
incet  WIUI5  be  rightly  e>jamlned  and  com- 
pared with  th^oie  precepts,  Thou  ihajt  not 
^'  vex  him  nor  opprefs  him;  he  fl^all  be  aj^ 

one  born  amongft  you,  and  thou  fhalt  love 

Kim  as  thyfelf/'  Lev.  xix.  33.  Deut.  xxvii. 
19.  there  will  appear  an  important  difference 
betwixt  them. 

It  may  be  objected  there  is  coil  of  pur- 
chafe^  and  rifque  of  their  lives  to  them  whq 
pofTefs  'em,  and  therefore  needful  that  they 
make  the  bell  ufe  of  their  time  :  in  a  prac- 
tice juil  and  reafonable,  fach  objeflions  may 
have  weight;  but  if  the  work  be  wrong  frorn 
the  beginnings  there  is  little  or  no  force  in 
them.  If  I  purchafe  a  man  who  hath  never 
forfeited  his  liberty,  the  natural  right  of 
freedom  is  in  him ;  and  fiiall  I  keep  him  and 
his  posterity  in  lervitude  and  ignoi'ance  ? 

Flow  f[iou.ld  I  approve  of  this  condudl, 
Vv^ere  I  in  his  caxumllances,  and  he  in  niiner'' 
It  may  be  thought,  that  to  treat  them  as  we 
would  willingly  be  treated,  our  gain  by  theii^' 
would  be  inconlidcrable  :  and  it  were,  in  di- 
vers refpe(!^s,  better  that  there  were  none  in 
our  counlry. 

'We  may  further  coniider,  that  they  are 
noy<r  amongri  us,  and.  thofe  of  our  nation  tlie 
caufe  of  their  being  here  ;  that  whatfoever 
dilncuky  accrues  thereon,  we  are  juftly 
chargeable  with,  and  to  bear  all  inconveni- 
^ncies  attending  it,  v/ith  aferious  and  weigh-^ 


Keeping   OF   NEGROES.  265 


%y  Goi^cern  of  mind  to  do  our  duty  by  them, 
is  the  bed  we  can  do.  To  feek  a  remedy  by 
ponthiuing  the  opprefiion,  becaufe  we  have 
power  to  do  it,  and  fee  others  do  it,  will,  I 
apprehend,  not  be  doing  as  \yc  would  be 
done  by. 

How  deeply  foever  men  are  involved  in 
the  niOil  exquifite  difiiculties,  fincerity  of 
heart,  and  upright  walking  before  God,  free- 
ly fubmitting  to  his  *providence,  is  the  mod 
fure  remedy :  He  only  is  able  to  relieve,  not 
only  perfons,  but  nations,  in  their  greateft 
calamities. 

David,  in  a  great  firait,  whpn  the  fenfe  of 
his  paft  error,  and  the  full  expectation  of  an 
impending  calamity,  as  the  reward  of  it, 
!7>'ere  united  to  the  aggravating  his  diftrefs, 
after  fome  deliberation,  ilu th,      Let  me  fall 

uow  into  the  hands  of  the  Lord,  for  very 

great  are  his  mercies  ;  let  me  not  fall  in- 

to  the  hand  of  man."  i  Chron.  xxi.  13. 

To  a6l  continually  with  integrity  of  heart, 
above  all  narrow  or  felfifli  motives,  is  a  fure 
token  of  our  being  partakers  of  that  lah  ac- 
tion which  -  God  hath  appointed  for  Vv^alls 

and  bulwarks,^'  ifa.  v.  26.  Rom.  xv.  8.  axid 
is,  beyond  all  contradicftion,  a  more  happy 
fituation  than  can  ever  be  proinifed  by  the 
utmoft  reach  of  art  and  power  united,  not 
proceeding  from  heavenly  w^ifdom. 

A  fupply  to  nature's  lav/ful  wants,  joined 
y/ith  a  peaceful,  humble  mind,  is  the  truefc 
happinefs  in  this  life  ;  and  if  here  we  arrive 
|o  this,  and  remajjci  to  w^alk  in  the  path  of 


^66  CONSIDERATIONS  ON  the 

thejuft,  our  cafe  will  be  truly  lip.ppy  :  and 
though  herein  we  may  part  with,  or  mifs  of 
fome  glaring  Ihews  of  riches,  and  leave  our 
children  little  elfe  but  wife  inftruftions,  a 
good  example,  and  the  kfiowlcdge  of  fome 
honed  employment ;  thefe,  v/ith  the  blefling 
of  Providence,  are  fuiScient  for  their  happi- 
nefs,  and  are  more  likely  to  prove  fo,  than 
laying  up  treallires  for  them,  which  are  of- 
ten rather  a  fnare,  than  any  real  benefit ;  ef- 
pecially  to  them,  who,  inftead  of  being  ex- 
ampled  to  temperance,  are  in  all  things 
taught  to  prefer  the  getting  of  riches,  and 
to  eye  the  temporal  diftindlions  they  give,  as 
the  principal  buiinefs  of  this  life.  TJiefe  rea- 
dily overlook  the  true  happinefs  of  man,  as 
it  refults  from  the  enjoyment  of  all  things  in 
the  fear  of  God,  and,  miferably  fubflituting 
an  inferior  good,  dangerous  in  the  acquir- 
ing, and  uncertain  in  the  fruition,  they  are 
fubjed:  to  many  difappointments,  and  every 
fweet  carries  its  fting. 

It  is  the  concluiion  of  our  blelTed  Lord  and 
his  apoilies,  as  appears  by  their  lives  and 
dodlrines,  that  the  higheil  delights  of  fenfe, 
or  moft  pleafing  objects  viiible,  ought  ever  to 
be  accounted  infinitely  inferior  to  that  real 
intellectual  happinefs  fuited  to  man  in  his 
primitive  innocence,  and  now  to  be  found  in 
true  renovation  of  mind ;  and  that  the  com- 
forts of  our  prefent  life,  the  things  mod 
grateful  to  us,  ought  always  to  be  received 
with  temperance,  and  never  made  the  chief 
objedls  of  our  delire,  hope,  or  love:  but  that 


Keeping   of   NEGROES.  267 

aur  whole  heart  and  afFeclions  be  principally 
looking  to  that      city,  which  hath  founda- 

tions,  whofe  maker  and  builder  is  God." 
Did  we  fo  improve  the  gifts  bellowxd  on  iis, 
that  our  children  might  have  an  education 
fuited  to  thefe  dodtrines,  and  our  example  to 
confirm  it,  we  might  rejoice  in  hopes  of  theii' 
being  heirs  of  an  inheritance  incorruptible. 

This  inheritance,  as  chriftians,  we  efteem 
the  rm){i  valuable ;  and  how  then  can  we  fail 
to  deHre  it  for  our  children  ?  O  that  we  were 
confiilent  v/ith  ourfelves,  in  purfuing  means 
neceflliry  to  obtain  it ! 

It  appears,  by  experience,  that  w^here  chil- 
dren are  educated  in  fulnefs,  eafe  and  idlc- 
nefs,  evil  habits  are  more  prevalent,  than  in 
common  amongft  fuch  who  are  prudently 
employed  in  the  neceOliry  affiiirs  of  life :  and 
if  children  are  not  only  educated  in  the  way 
of  fo  great  temptation,  but  have  alfo  the  op« 
portunity  of  lording  it  over  their  fellow- 
creatures,  and  being  mafters  of  men  in  their 
childhood,  how  can  wc  hone  othervvife  than 
that  their  tender  minds  will  be  pofTeff^d  with 
thoughts  too  high  for  them  ?  which,  by  con- 
tinuance, gaining  flrength,  v^rill  prove,  like 
a  flow  current,  gradually  feparating  them 
from  (or  keeping  from  acquaintance  with) 
that  humility  and  meeknefs  in  which  alone 
lalling  happinefs  can  be  enjoyed. 

Man  is  born  to  labour,  and  experience  a- 
bundantiy  flieweth,  that  it  is  for  our  good : 
but  where  the  powerful  lav  the  burthen  on 
the  interior,  without  aiTording  a  clirilliaa 

education^ 


s68  CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


education,  and  fuitable  opportunity  of  im- 
proving the  mind,  and  a  treatment  which 
we,  in  their  cafe,  fliould  approve,  that  them- 
felves  may  live  at  eafe,  and  fare  fumptaouf- 
ly,  and  lay  up  riches  for  their  ky.  this 

feems  to  contradldl  the  defigrx  o  r  rovidence, 
and,  I  doubt,  is  fometimes  the  ei%Jl  of  a 
perverted  mind :  for  v/hile  the  life  of  one  is 
made  grievous  by  the  rigour  of  another,  it 
entails  mifery.on  both. 

Amongit  the  manifold  works  of  Provi- 
dence, clifplayed  in  the  different  ages  of  the 
w^orld,  thefe  v/hich  follow  (with  many  others) 
may  afford  inftrudiion. 

Abraham  was  called  of  God  to  leave  his 
country  and  kindred,  to  fojourn  amongft 
ftrangers  :  through  famine,  and  danger  of 
death,  he  was  forced  to  flee  from  one  king- 
dom to  another  :  he,  at  length,  not  only  had 
affiirancc  of  being  the  father  of  many  na- 
tions, but  became  a  mighty  prince.  Genefis 
xxiii.  6.  / 

Remarkable  were  the  dealings  of  God  with 
Jacob  in  a  low  eftate,  the  juft  fenfe  he  re- 
tained of  them  after  his  advancement,  ap- 
pears by  his  words  :      I  am  not  worthy  of 

the  leafl  of  all  thy  mercies."  Genefis  xxxii. 
10.  xlviii.  15. 

The  numerous  affliftipns  of  Jofeph  are 
very  lingular  ;  the  particular  providence  of 
God  therein,  no  lefs  manifeft  :  he,  at  length, 
became  governor  of  Egypt,  and  famous  for 
Vvrifdom  and  virtue. 

The 


Keeping   of   NEGROES.  26^ 


The  feries  of  troubles  David  pafTed  taro', 
few  amongit  us  are  ignorant  of ;  and  yet  lie 
afterwards  became  as  one  of  the  great  men 
of  the  earth. 

Some  evidences  of  the  divine  wifdom  ap- 
pears iu  thofe  things,  in  that  fuch  who  are 
intended  for  high  ftations,  have  firft  been 
^ery  low  and  dejedled,  that  truth  might  be 
feaied  on  their  hearts  ;  and  that  the  charac- 
ters there  imprinted  by  bitternefs  and  adver- 
fity,  might  in  after  years  remain,  fiiggeft- 
ing  compaffionate  ideas,  and,  in  their  pro- 
fperity,  quicken  their  regard  to  thofe  in  the 
hke  condition  :  which  yet  further  appears  in 
the  cafe  of  Ifrael :  they  were  v/ell  acquaint- 
ed with  grievoufe  fufferings,  a  long  and  rigo-* 
rous  fervitude ;  then,  thro'  many  notable  e- 
vents,  were  made  chief  amongft  the  nations : 
to  them  we  find  a  repetition  of  precepts  to 
the  purpofe  abovefaid:  though,  for  ends  a- 
greeable  to  infinite  wifdom,  they  were  chofe 
as  a  peculiar  people  for  a  time ;  yet  the  Mofl 
High  acquaints  them,  that  his  love  is  not 
confined,  but  extends  to  the  fcranger  5  and, 
to  excite  their  compaffion,  reniinas  them  of 
times  pad,  Ye  were  flrangers  in  the  land 
'\  of  Egypt,"  Deut.x.  19.  Agda,  Thou 
fhalt  not  opprefs  a  ftrangcr,  for  ye  know 
the  heart  of  a  ftranger^  feeing  ye  were 
ftrangers  in  the  land  of  Egypt,''  Exod, 
xxiii.  9. 

If  we  call  to  mind  our  beginning,  ibme  of 
us  may  find  a  umc^  wherein  our  fathers  were 

UEider 


CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


vmder  afflicflions,  reproaches,  and  manifold 
fufferings. 

RefpeAing  our  progrefs  in  this  land,  the 
time  is  fliort  fince  our  beginning  was  fmail 
and  number  few,  compared  with  the  native 
inhabitants.  He  that  ileeps  not  by  day  nor 
night,  hath  watched  over  us,  and  kept  us  as 
the  apple  of  his  eye.  His  almighty  arm  hath 
been  round  about  us,  and  faved  us  from 
dangers. 

The  wild6rnefs  and  folitary  defarts  in 
which  our  fathers  palTed  the  days  of  their 
pilgrimage,  are  now  turned  into  pleafant 
fields  J  the  natives  are  gone  from  before  us, 
and  we  eflabliihed  peaceably  in  the  pofTeffion 
of  the  land,  enjoying  our  civil  and  religious 
liberties  ;  and,  v*"hile  many  parts  of  the 
world  have  groaned  under  the  heavy  calami- 
ties  of  war,  our  habitation  remains  quiet^ 
and  our  land  fruitful.  - 

When  w^e  trace  back  the  fheps  w^e  have 
trodden,  and  fee  how  the  Lord  hath  opened 
a  way  in  the  wildernefs  for  us,  to  the  wife 
it  will  eafily  appear,  that  all  this  was  not 
done  to  be  buried  in  oblivion;  but  to  pre- 
pare a  people  for  more  fruitful  returns,  and 
the  remembrance  thereof,  ought  to  humble 
us  in  profperity,  and  excite  in  us  a  chriftian 
benevolence  tow^ards  our  inferiors* 

If  vv^e  do  not  conlider  thefe  things  aright, 
but,  through  a  ftupid  indolence,  conceive 
vievv^s  of  intereft,  feparate  from  the  general 
good  of  the  great  brotherhood,  and,  in  pur*- 
liianee  thereot^  treat  our  inferiors  v/ith  ri- 
gour. 


K^EMNG    OF  NEGROES/  ±jt 


gour,  to  increafe  our  weakli,  and  gain  riches 
for  our  children  ;      What  then  lhall  We  do 
^'  when  God  rifeth  up  ?  and  when  he  viiit- 
eth,  what  jhall  we  anfwer  him  ?  did  not 
he  that  made  us,  make  them  ?  and  did  not 
one  falhion  us  in  the  womb      Job  xxxi. 

13.  14- 

To  our  great  matter  w^e  ftand  or  fall,  to 
judge  or  condemn  us  as  is  moft  fuitable  toh  is 
wifdom  or  authority  ;  my  inclination  is  to 
perfuade,  and  intreat^  and  fimply  give  hints 
of  my  way  of  thinking. 

If  the  chriitian  religion  be  confidered,  both 
refpe6li ng  its  doctrines,  and  the  happy  in- 
fluence which  it  hath  on  the  minds  and 
manners  of  all  real  chriftians,  it  looks  rea- 
fonable  to  think,  that  the  miraculous  mani- 
feftation  thereof  to  the  world,  is  a  ki  ndnefs 
beyond  expreffion. 

Are  we  the  people  thus  favoured?  are  w^e 
they  whofe  minds  are  opened,  influenced^ 
and  governed  by  the  Spirit  of  Chrift,  and 
thereby  made  fons  of  God?  is  it  not  a  fair 
conclufion,  that  we,  like  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, ought,  in  our  degree,  to  be  active  in 
the  fame  great  caufe,  of  the  eternal  happi- 
nefs  of,  at  leaft,  our  whole  families,  and 
more,  if  thereto  capacitated  ? 

If  we,  by  the  operation  of  the  Spirit  of 
Chrift,  become  heirs  with  him  in  the  king- 
dom of  his  Father,  and  are  redeemed  front 
the  alluring  counterfeit  joys  of  this  world^ 
and  the  joy  of  Chrift  remain  in  us,  to  fup- 
pofc  that  one  remaining  in  this  happy  con- 
dition, 


CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


dition,  can,  for  the  fake  of  earthly  richesf 
not  only  deprive  his  fcllow-creatures  of  the 
fweetneis  of  freedom,  (which,  rightly  ufedj 
is  one  of  the  greate(l  temporal  bleffings)  but 
therewith  neglecft  viling  proper  means,  for 
their  acquaintance  with  the  Holy  Scriptures^ 
and  the  advantage  of  true  religion,  feems, 
at  leait,  a  contradi(51:ion  to  reafon.  - 
Whoever  rightly  advocates  the  caufe  of , 
fome,  thereby  promotes  the  good  of  all.  The 
ftate  of  mankind  was  harmonious  in  the 
beginnings  and  though  fin  hath  introduced 
diicord,  yet,  through  the  wonderful  love  61 
God,  iu  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord,  the  way  is 
open  for  our  redemption,  and  means  ap- 
pointed to  reftore  us  to  primitive  har- 
mony«  That  if  one  fuffer  by  the  unfaith-* 
fulnefs  of  another,  the  mind,  the  moft  no- 
ble part  of  him  that  occafions  the  difcord,  is 
tliereby  alienated  from  its  true  and  real  hap- 
pinefs. 

Our  duty  and  interefl  is  infeparably  unit- 
ed, and  when  v/e  neglecl  or  mifiife  our  ta- 
lents, we  neceilarily  depart  from  the  heaven- 
ly fellowlhip,  and  are  in  the  way  to  the 
greateft  of  evils. 

Therefore  to  examine  and  prove  ourfelves^ 
to  find  what  harmony  the  power  preiiding 
in  us  bears  with  the  divine  nature,  is  a  duty 
not  more  incumbent  and  neceilary,  than  it 
would  be  beneficiaL 

In  Holy  Writ  the  Divine  Being  faith  of 
himfelf,       I  am  the  Lord,  wdiich  exercife 

loving-kindnefs,  judgment  and  righteouf- 

nefs 


Keeping  of  NEGROES.  27^ 


nefs  in  the  earth ;  for  ill  thefe  things  I  de-^ 

lights  faith  the  Lord/'  Jer.  ix,  24.  Again, 
fpeaking  iii  the  Way  of  man,  to  Ihew  his 
compaffiori  to  Ifrael,  whofe  wickednefs  had 
occafioned  a  calamity,  and  then  being  hum- 
bled under  it,  it  is  faid,  'V  His  foul  was 
.  grieved  for  their  miferies,"  Jtidges  x»  16. 
If  we  confider  the  life  of  our  blefled  Saviour* 
when  on  earth,  a^  it  is  recorded  by  his  fol- 
lowers, we  fliall  find,  that  one  uniform  de- 
fire  for  the  eternal,  and  temporal  good  o£ 
inankiiid,  difcovered  itfelf  in  all  his  actions. 

If  we  oblerve  men,  both  apoftles  and  o- 
tliers,  in  many  different  ^ges,  who  have 
really  come  to  the  unity  of  the  Spirit,  and 
the  fellowfhip  of  the  faints,  there  ftill  appears 
the  like  difpofition,  and  in  them  the  delire 
of  the  real  happinefs  of  niankind,  has  out- 
balanced the  defire  of  eafe,  liberty,  and, 
many  times,  life  itfelf. 

If  upon  a  true  fearch,  we  find  that  otlf  na- 
tures are  fo  far  renewed,  that  to  exercife  righ- 
teoufnefs  and  loving-kindnefs  (according  to 
our  ability)  towards  ail  men,  without  reipecSt 
of  perfons,  is  eafy  to  us^  or  is  our  delight ; 
if  our  love  be  fo  orderly,  and  regular,  that 
he  who  doeth  the  will  of  our  Father,  who  is 
in  heaven,  appears  in  our  view,  to  be  our 
-  neareft  relation,  our  brother,  and  fitter,  and 
mother  ;  if  this  be  our  cafe,  there  is  a  good 
foundation  to  hope,  that  the  blelTing  of  God 
will  fweeten  our  treafures  during  our  ftay  in 
this  life,  and  our  memory  be  favory,  whea 
we  are  entered  ini^o  refl. 

T  ^  Tq 


674    i^ONSmERATIONS,        V:  'j 

To  conclude,  'Tis  a  trath  moft  certain, 
^th^t  a  life  guMcd  by  wlfdom  from  above, 
agreeable  with  juftice,  equity,  and  mercy, 
IS  throughout  coniiftent  and  amiable,  qand 
truly  beneficial  to  fociety  ;  the  ferenity  and 
calmnefs  of  mind  in  it,  affords  an  imparal- 
-lelled  xomfort  in  this  life,  and  the  end  of  it 
is  bleffed. 

And,  no  lefs  true,  that  they,  who  in  the 
midft  of  high  favours,  remain  ungrateful, 
and  under  all  the  advantages  that  a  chriftian 
can  defire,  are  felfilli,  earthly,  and  fenfual, 
do  mifs  the  true  fountain  of  happinefs,  and 
wander  in  a  maze  of  dark  anxiety,  where  all 
their  treafures  are  infufEcient  to  quiet  their 
minds  :  hence,  from  an  infatiable  craving, 
they  negledl  doing  good  with  what  they  have 
accjuired,  and  too  often  add  opprefTioa  to  va- 
-nity,  that  they  may  compafs  more. 

O  that  they  were  wife,  that  they  under- 

flood  this,  that  tliey  would  coafider  their 

latter  end Deut.  xxxii.  zg.  1 


C  O  N- 


( C  O  N  S  I D  EU  A 1 1  O  N  S 

On  the  KEEPING  of 

%  E       %  0   E  S. 

Ilecoiiimeiided  to  tlie  Profeflbrs  of  CKrifli- 
a^ity  of  every  Denoininatipn. 


^Part  the  Second.7 
p  printed  in  the  year  tj&^^ 


Jhatt  fibl  reJpeB  perjhnt  tn  ^ptigMenf  f  trnt 
ye  jhall  hear  the  fmall  as  nvdl  a^  thi^g^eat 
Jhall  not  he  afraid  of  the  face  of  mM;'  for  the 
judgment  is ^ God's:-^        'f^K  -J^*^^^''^-^'^: : 

-■  -  -  ....  -         .  ^ 

PREFACE. 

yfLL  our  actons  are  of  like  nature  ^ivith  their 
root;  and  the  Moji  High  ^eigheth  the^t 
more  fkilfuUy  than  Men  can  iveigh  them  one: 
for  another^ 

I  believe  that  one  Supreme  Being  made  and 
fuppprts  the  ^ivorld ;  nor  can  I  tvorfhip  any  other 
Deity  without  being  an  idolater^  and  guilty  of 
'wickednefs^ 

m 


276  ,  P    R    E    F    A    G  E. 

"  Many  nations  have  believed  in^  and  voorjloip^ 
fed  a  plurality  of  deities.;  but  I  do,  not  believe 
they  vuere  therefore  all  ivicked.  Idolatry  indeed 
Is  "u-ickednefs  ;  but  it  is  the  things  not  the  namey^ 
vdhich  ii  fo.  Real  idolatry  is  to  pay  that  ado-- 
ration  to  a  creature^  which  is  knovun  to  be  due 
only  to  the  true  God. 

-  '  He  vuho  projejfeth  to  believe  one  Almighty 
Creator^  and  in  his  Son  Je/iu  Ghri/l^  and  is 

yet  more  intent  on  the  honours^  profits  and  friend-^ 

Jhips  of  the  voorldy  than  he  is  in  finglenefs  of 
/^(f^zr/ (land  faithfvil  to  the  cliriftiau  religion., 
IS  in  the  channel  of  idolatry ;  vuhile  the  Gentile, 
vuho^  under  fome  mifiaken  opinions^  is  notivith" 

fiafidiitg  efiablijhed  in  the  true  principle  of  vir- 
tue^  and  humbly  adorer  an  almighty  power ^  may 
be  of  that  number  who  fear  God^  and work 
right eoufnefs.  [ 

I  believe  the  bifhop  of  Rome  affumes  a  power ^ 
that  does  7iot  belong  to  any  officer  in  the  church 
of  Chrifi  ;  and  if  I  Jhould  knowingly  do  any 

jhing^  tending  to  fir eng then  him  in  that  capa-^^ 
city^  it  would  be  great  iniquity.   There  are  ma- 
7iy  thoufands  of  people^  who  by  their  profejjiom^ 
acknowledge  him  to  be  the  reprefentative  of  Je- 

fus  Chrifi  on  earth  \  and  to  fay  that  none  of 
them  are  upright  in  hearty  would  be  contrary  to 
my  fentiments. 

Men  who  fincerely  apply  their  minds  to  true 
virtue^  and  find  an  inward  fupport  from  above 
hy  which  all  vicious  inclinations  are  made  fub- 

j eft ;  that  they  love  God  fi7tcerely^  and  prefer 
the  real  good  of  mankind  imiverfally  to  their 

own 


hn^f^ikjlite  whr^ ;  t^gh  thefe^  through  tht- 
Jirength  of  education  and  tradition^  may  rtmain 
under  fome  fpeculative  and  great  errors^  it  ivould 
he^imchafitable  to  fay^  that  therefore  God  rejeSis 
thenL-^He  voho  creates^  fupports  and  gwes  un--  ^ 
derfanding  to  all  men^  his  knouoledge  and  good- 
nefs  is  fiiperior  to  the  various  cafes  and  circum-^ 
Jlances  of  his  creatures^  ivhich  to  its  appear  tht' 
mof  difficult. 

'^^The  apofles  and  primitive  chrifiiaiis  did  not  ■ 
tenfure  all  the  Gentiles  as  wicked  men^  Rom.  \\. 
14.  Col /ill.  1 1,  but  as  they  ivere  favoured  ivith 
a  gift  to  difcern  things  7nore  clearfyy  re/pe fling 
the  %vorfhip  of  the  true  God ^  they  with  much 

frmnefs  declared  againjl  the  vuorfhipping  of  /- 
dols ;  and  ivith  true  patience  endured  many  fuf- 

firings^  on  that  account. 

Great  numbers  of  faithful  Protefants  have 
contended  for  the  truth^  in  oppofttion  to  papal 
errors  ;  and  vuith  true  fortitude  laid  doivn  their 
lives  in  the  conflid^  ivithout  faying^  That  no 
man  was  faved  who  made  profefion  of  that  re- 
ligion. 

While  we  have  no  right  to  keep  men  as  fer- 
vants  for  term  of  Ife^  but  that  of  fuperior  powd- 
er;  to  do  this^  with  deftgn  by  their  labour  to 
profit  purfelves  and  our  families ^  I  believe  is 
wrmg;  but  I  do  7iot  believe  that  all  who  have 
kept  Jlaves^  have  therefore  been  chargeable  witJ§ 
guilt.  If  their  motives  thereto  were  free  fr om 
fclfijhnejs^  and  their  Jtaves  content^  they  wer^ 
a  fort  of  freemen  ;  which  I  believe  hath  fome-^ 
jjmes  been  the  cafe. 

Whatever 


Whatever  a  man  does  in  the  fptiri  of  charity^, 
to  him  tt  is  not  ftth  :  and  njuhjile  he  lives  an4  a^r 
in  this  fpirity  he  learns  all  things  effervtiat  to  hisx 
happinefsy  as  an  individua^l  :  \ind  if  he  doth  not 
fee  that  any  injury  or  injufiice^  to  any  other  fer-^ 
fon^  is  nece]jhrily  'promoted'  by  any  part  of  his 
form  of  government^   I  believe  the  merciful 
Judge  nvill  not  lay  iniquity  to  his  charge.  Tet 
others^  who  live  in  the  faitie  fpirit  of  charity^ 
from  a  clear  convincement ^  may  fee  the  relation 
of  one  thing  to  another y  and  the  neceffary  ten- 
dency of  each ;  and  hence  it  may  be  abfolutely 
finding  on  them  ti^  dejijl  frcitn  fome  parts  of  con-^^ 
4u^i  which  fame  good  men  have  been  iff.. 


A  T I  o  N  s 


On  the  l^E  E  PING  of 

N    E    Q    R    0  E 


■       \  iT.^:^  'Mj^^  ..  . 

A  S  fome  In  moft  religious  focieties  a- 
mongft  the  Englilh  are  concerned  in 
^  importing  or  purchafing  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Africa  as  flaves ;  and  as  the  profeJP- 
fors  of  chriftianity  of  feveral  other  nations 
do  the  like ;  thefe  circumftances  tend  to  make 
people  lefs  apt  to  examine  the  pradlice  fo 
clofely  as  they  would,  if  fuch  a  thing  had 
not  been,  but  was  now  propofed  to  be  en- 
tered upon.  It  is  however  our  duty,  and 
what  concerns  us  individually,  as  creatures 
accountable  to  ovir  Creator,  to  employ  right- 
ly the  underftanding  which  he  hath  given 
us,  in  humbly  endeavouring  to  be  acquaint- 
ed with  his  will  concerning  us,  and  with  the 
nature  and  tendency  of  thofe  things  which 
we  pradlife:  for  as  juflice  remains  to  be  juf- 
tice,  fo  many  people,  of  reputatiou  in  the 

.  ^  world 


4 


28o   CAHSIAERATIONS  on  the 

world,  joining  with  wrong  things,  do  not  - 
excufe  others  m  joining  with  them,  nor  make 
the  confequence  of  their  proceedings /lefs 
dreadfal  in^the  final  iiTiie,  than  it  would  be 
otherwife. 

Where  unrighteoufnefs  is  jnflified  froni 
one  age  to  another,  it  is  like  dark  matter 
gathering  into  clouds  over  us.  We  may 
know  that  this  gloom  will  remain  till  the 
canfe  be  ^rempjed  by  a  reforniation,  or 
change  of  times  ;  and  may  feel  a  delire,  from 
a  love  of  equity,  to  fpeak  on  the  occafion; 
yet  where  error  is  fo  ftrong,  that  it  may  not 
be  fpoken  againft,  without' fome  profpe6l  of 
inconvenience  to  the  fpeaker,  this  difficulty 
is  likely  to  operate  on  our  weaknefs,  and 
quench  the  good  defires  in  us  ;  except  we 
dwell  fo  fteadily  under  the  weight  of  it,  as  to 
be  made  willing  to  endure  hardnefs"  oxi 
that  account.    ^    '       "  ^  r 

Where  men  exert  their  talents  againft 
vices  generally  accounted  fuch,  the  ill  effedls 
whereof  are  prefently  perceived  in  a  govern- 
ment, all  men  who  regard  their  own  tempo- 
ral good,  are  likely  to  approve  the  work. 
But  when  that  which  is  inconfiftent  with 
perfe6l  equity,  hath  the  law,  or  countenance 
of  the  great  in  its  favour,  though  the  ten- 
dency thereof  be  quite  contrary  to  the  true 
liappinefs  of  mankind  iii  an  equal,  if  not 
greater-  degree,  than  many  things  account- 
ed r^rbachful  to  chriftians  ;  yet,  as  thefe  ill 
effects '^re  not  generah  they  who 

|abour-  t<)  difliiade  frojn  fuch  things,  which, 


^  We  e p I  k g  o  f  negro E S.  aSi 


people  believe  accord  with  their  intereft,  have 
maiiv  difficulties  to  encounter. ^^_^^.,ri^^',y 

The  repeated  Charges,  v/hich  God  gave  to 
his  prophets,  imply  the  danger  they  vv^ere  in 
of  erring  on  this  Hand.       Be  not  afraid  of 
their  fac?s ;  for  I  am  v^ith  thee,  to  deliver 
thee,  faith  the  Lord."  Jcr.  i.  8.    ^'  Speak 
all  the  words  that  I  command  thee  to 
fpeak  to  them ;  diminifli  not  a  word.''  Jer. 
xxvi.  2.    ^'  And  thou,  fon  of  man,  be  not 
f '  afraid  of  them,  nor  difmayed  at  their 
looks.  Speak  my  words  to  them,  whether 
*^  they  will  hear  or  forbear.''  Ezek.  ii.  6,  7. 

Under  an  apprehenfion  of  duty,  I  oiFer 
fome  further  confiderations  on  this,  fubject, 
having  endeavoured  fome  years  to  confider  it 
candidly.  I  have  obferved  people  of  our 
own  colour,  whofe  abilities  have  been  infe- 
rior to  the  affairs  which  relate  to  their  con- 
venient fubfiftence,  who  have  been  taken 
care  of  by  others,  and  the  pi'ofit  of  fuch 
y\^ork  as  they  could  do,  applied  toward  their 
fupport. — -I  believe  there  are  fuch  amongft 
negroes  ;  and  that  fome  people,  in  whofe 
hands  they  are,  keep  them  with  no  view  of 
outward  profit,  do  not  confider  them  as  black 
men,  who,  as  fuch,  ought  to  ferve  white 
men  ;  but  account  them  perfons  who  have 
need  of  guardians,  and  as  fuch  take  care  of 
them:  yet  where  equal  care  is  taken  in  alt 
parts  of  education,  I  do  not  apprehend  cafesr 
of  this  fort  are  likely  to  occur  more  frequent- 
ly amongft  one  fort  of  people  than  another. 


^2   C|:^JBEJiAXipNa  aN  thk 

It  looks  ta  me  tha^^^  trade  was 

foundedy  and  hath  generally  been  carried  on, 
in  a  wrong  fpirit ;  that  the  efFe6ls  of  it  are 
detrimental  to  the  real  profperity  of  our 
country  ;  and  will  be  more  fo,  except  we 
ceafe  from  the  common  motives  of  keeping 
them,  and  treat  them  in  future  agreeable  to 
truth  and  pure  juftice, 

Negroes  may  be  imported,  wKo,  for  their 
cruelty  to  their  countrymen,  and  the  evil 
difpofition  of  their  minds,  may  be  unfit  to 
be  at  liberty  ;  and  if  we,  as  lovers  of  righte- 
oufnefs,  undertake  the  management  of  them, 
we  fliould  have  a  full  and  clear  knowledge  of 
their  crimes,  and  of  thofe  circumflances  which 
might  operate  in  their  favour;  but  the  diffi- 
culty of  obtaining  this  is  fo  great,  that  we 
have  great  reafon  to  be  cautious  therein. 
But,  fhould  it  plainly  appear  that  abfolute 
fubjeiflion  was  a  condition  the  moft  proper 
ipr  the  perfon  who  is  purchafed,  yet  the  in-* 
nocent  children  ought  not  to  be  made  flaves, 
becaufe  their  parents  finned. 

We  have  account  in  holy  fcripture  of  fomc 
\.  families  fuffering,  where  mention  is  only  made 
t>f  the  heads  of  the  family  committing  wick-' 
ednefs  ;  and  it  is  likely  that  the  degenerate 
Jews,  mifunderftanding  fome  occurrences  of 
this  kind,  took  occafion  to  charge  God  w-ith 
being  unequal ;  fo  that  a  faying  became  com^ 
mon^j.     The  Fathers  have  eaten  four  grapes, 
and  the  children's  teeth  are  fet  oh  edge.'^ 
.  Jeremiah  and  Ezekiel,  two  of -the  infpirecj 
prophets,  who  lived  ne^^  the  fame  time,  \verc 

^ concerned 


'jfaticerned  to  cortt(5l  this  error.  Ezekiel  is 
large  on  the  fubje.<^.  Fii'ft,  he  reproves  them 
for  their  error,    "  What  mean  ye,  that  ye 

do  fo/*  chap,  xviii.  verfe  2.        As  I  live; 

f^ith  the  Lord  God,  ye  fhall  not  have  oc- 
^^^^^tfi^ii  any  more  to  ule  this  proverb  in  IP* 
'  -  i*ael.^  V  The  vsrords,  any  more,"  have 
reference  to  tinie  pail ;  intimating,  that  tho' 
they  had  not  rightly  underftood  fome  things 
they  had  heard  or  feen,  and  thence  flippofed 
the  proverb  to  be  well  grounded ;  yet  hence- 
fprth  they  might  know  of  a  certainty,  that 
the  ways  of  God  are  all  equal;  that  as  fure 
^gs  the  Moft  High  liveth,  fo  fure  men  are  oil-^ 
Uy  anfwerable  for  their  own  fins.— ^Fle  thus 
dfiims  up  the  matter,  ver,  zo.  The  foul  that 
^'  iinneth,  it  fhall  die.  The  fon  fhall  not  bear 
*^  the  iniquity  of  the  father  ;  neither  fhall  the 

father  bear  the  iniquity  of  the  fon.  The 

righteoufnefs  of  the  righteous  fhall  be  up- 
*V  on  him  ;  and  the  wickednefs  of  the  wicked 

fliali  be  upon  him. 

AVhere  men  are  wicked,  they  commonly  are 
'  it  means  of  corrupting  the  fucceeding  age  ; 
and  thereby  haften  thofe  outward  c^^lami ties, 
which  fall  on  nations,  when  their  iniquities 
are  full.  :  ^  - 

Men  may  purfue  means  whicn'ire  not  a- 
greeable  to  perfect  purity,  v/ith  a  view  to  in- 
''creafe  the  wealth  and  happinefs  of  their  off"- 
Ipring,  and  thereby  make  the  way  of  virtue 
more  difScult  to  them.  And  though  the  ill 
jexampleof  a  parent,  or  a  multitude,  does  hot 
bxcufe  a  man  in  ^oini?  eviL  yet  tke  niindJbe- 


^^   PON3IDERATIONS  on  the 

ing  early -inapreffed  with  vicious  notions  and 
pradlices,  and  nurtured  up  in  ways  ^of  get- 
ting treafure,  which  are  not  the  ways  of 
truth  ;  this  wrong  fpirit  getting  firft  poffeffi- 
on,  and  being  thus  ftrengthened,  frequently 
prevent?^  due  attention  toj  the  true  fpirit  of 
wifdom.fo  that  thev  exceed  in' wickednefs  thofe 
who  lived  before  them.  And  in  this  channel, 
though  parents  labour,  as  they  think,  to  for- 
ward thelxappinefs  of  their  children,  it  proves 
a  means  of  forwarding  their  calamity.  This- 
being  the  cafe  in  the  age  next  before  the 
grievous  calamity  in  thefiege  of  Jerufalem,and 
carrying  Judah  captive  to  Babylon,  they  might 
fay  with  propriety,  This  came  upon  us,  be- 
caufeour  fathers  forfcok  God,  and  becaufe  we 
did  worfc  than  our  fathers.   See  Jer.  vii.  26. 

As  the  generation  iiext  before  them  inward- 
ly turned  a  Vv^-iy  from  God,  v.dio  yet  waited  to 
I  e;  gracious  ;  and  as  they  in  that  age  conti- 
K^^ed  in  ^hoie  things  which  neceflarily  lepa- 
rated  from  periecft  goodnefs,  growing  more 
tiubborn,  till  the  judgments  of  God  v/ere 
poured  out  upon  them  ;  they  might  properly 
lay,  /'  Our  fathers  have  finned,  and  we  have 

jjorp^  their  iniquities Lam.  v.  And  yet, 
wicked  as  their  fathers  vv^ere,  had  they  not 
liicceedcd  them  in  their  wickednefs,  they  had 
not  borne  their  iniquities.  ■ 

To  flippofe  it  right,  that  ail  innocent  man 
Ihall  at  this  day  be  excluded  from  the  com- 
mon  rules  of  juflice  ;  be  deprived  of  that  li- 
berty, which  :is  the*  natural  right  of  human 
creatures;  and  "be  a  flave  to  others  during 

life. 


r   Ke.rpiHg         negroes.  2^$ 

lifcj  on.  account  or  a  Im  committed  by  hiS 
immediate  parents  ;  or  a  fin  commhted  l^y 
Ham,  the  fon  of  Noah  is  a  fivppofition  to6 
g^ois  to  be  adiiiitted  into  the  mind  of  any 
perfon,  who  fincerely  defircs  to  be  governed 
by  fblld  principles. 

%  .  It  is  alledged,  in  favour  of  the  pradlice^ 
that  Joil^ua  made  flaves  of  the  Gibeonites. 

What  men  do  by  the  command  of  God, 
and  vv^kat  comes  to  pafs  as  a  confequence  of 
their  neglect,  are  dilJerent ;  fuch  Sis  the  latter 
cafe  now  mentioned  was. 

It  was  the  exprefs  command  of  the  Almigh- 
ty to  Ifrael,  concerning  the  inhabitants  of 
the  promifed  land,  Thou  lhalt  make  no 
"  covenant  with  them,  nor  Vv4th  their  Gods : 

They  lhall  not  dwell  in  thy  land,''  Exod. 
•xxiii.  32.  Thofe  Gibeonites  came  craftily, 
telling  Joiliua,  that  they  were  come  from  a 
far  country  ;  that  their  elders  had  fent  them 
to  make  a  league  with  the  people  of  Ifrael; 
and  as  an  evidence  of  their  being  foreigners, 
fliewed  their  old  cloaths,  &c.        And  the 

men  took  of  their  vi6luals,  and  afked  not? 

counfel  at  the  mouth  of  the  Lord;  and 

Joflma  made  peace  with  them,  and  ma46 
*V  a  league  with  them,  to  let  them  live ;  and 

the  princes  fv/are  to  them."  Jolh.  xcvi.  1 4, 1 5. 

When  the  impofition  was  difcovered,  the 
congregation  murmured  againft  the  princes: 

But  all  the  princes  faid  to  all  the  congrega- 
"  tion,  we  have  fworh  to  them  by  the  Lord 

God  of  Ifrael  j  now  therefore  v^e  may  no¥ 

touch  them }  we  will  Qrm  let  thmi  live,' 


*^  left  wrath  be  upon  us  ;  but  kt  them  b« 

hewe*rs  of  wood,  and  drawers  of  water  tin^ 
to  the  congregation* 

Omitting  to  afic  coiinfel,  involved  theitt  ill 
great  difHculty.  The  Gibeonites  were  of  tliofe 
cities,  of  which  the  Lord  faid,  Thoit  ffialt 
^  fave  ahve  nothing  that  breatheth  and  o£ 
the  ftock  of  the  Hivites,  concerning  whom 
he  commanded  by  name^  Thou  flialt  finite 
them,  and  utterly  deflroy  them :  Thou 
fhalt  make  no  covenant  with  them^  nor 
fhew  mercy  unto  them/'  Deut.  vii.  i.  Thus 
Jofliua  and  the  princes,  not  knowing  them, 
liad  made  a  league  with  them,  to  let  them 
live }  and  in  this  ftrait  they  refolve  to  make 
them  fervants*  Jofliua  and  the  princes  fuf- 
peeled  them  to  be  deceivers  :  Peradventurc 
you  dwell  amongft  us  :  and  how  lhall  we 
^Vmake  a  league  with  you?"  Which  words 
(hew,  that  they  remembered  the  command 
before  mentioned  ;  and  yet  did  not  enquire 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Lord,  as  Mofes  diredled 
Jofliua^  when  he  gave  him  a  charge  refpedl- 
ing  his  duty  as  chief  man  among  that  people, 
Numb,  xxvii.  21.  By  this  omiflion  things 
became  lb  fltuated,  that  Jofhua  and  the 
princes  could  not  execute  the  judgments  of 
God  on  them,  without  violating  the  oath 
which  they  had  made, 

Mofes  did  amifs  at  the  waters  of  Meribah  j 
and  doubtlefs  he  foon  repented ;  for  the  Lord 
was  with  him.  And  it  is  likely  that  Jofhua 
was  deeply  humbled,  under  a  fenfe  of  his 
omiilion  ;  for  it  appears  that  God  continued 

him 


Miinr^^ Ms  office,  and  fpared  the  lives  of 
tk4f6  people^  for  the  fake  of  the  kagiK:  aud 
oath  made  in  his  name;  ^  f 

nrThe  wickednefs  of  thefe  people  was  great, 
ind  they  worthy  to  die,  or  perfect  juftice  had 
not  paffed  fentence  of  death  upon  rhein  ;  and 
as  their  execution  was  prevented  by  this  league 
and  oath,  they  appear  content  to  be  fervants : 
As  it  feemeth  good  and  right  unto  thee  to 
do  unto  us,  doi^----  .  Uki^^-  ^i^>g?.c:% 

Thefe  criminals,  inftead  of  death,  h^d  the 
lentence  of  fervitude  pronounced  on  them,  ia 
thefe  words,      Now  therefore  ye  are  curled  ; 
^  and  there  lhall  none  of  you  be  freed  froiu 
being  bondmeji,    and  hewers  of  wood> 
and  drawers  of  water  for  tlie  houfe  of  my 

^"'  We  find,  Deut.  xi.^^6&i<^ti^ai^^1^ 
cities  far  diftant  from  Canaan,  againfl  which 
Ifrael  went  to  battle  j  unto  whom  they  were 
to  proclaim  peadc,^  aild  if  the  inhabitants 
made  anfwer  of  peace,  and  opened  their 
gates,  they  were  not  to  deftroy  them^  but 
make  them  tributaries.  v:;iii>  siu 

The  children  of  Ifrael  were  then  the  Lord's 
:hoft,  and  executioners  of  his  judgments  on: 
p^eopie  hardened  in  wickednefs.' — ^They  w^erc 
'itiat  to  go  to  battle,  but  by  his  appointment. 
The  men  who  were  chief  in  his  army,  had 
their  inftrtidlions  from  the  Almighty  ;  fome- 
tiines  immediately,  and  fome times  by  tho 
miniftry  of  angels.  Of  thefe,  a m6ngft  others^ 
were  Mofes,  Jo£hua,  Othniel,  arid'O^  ; 
fee  Exod.  iii.  2.  and  x^iii,  19.  Jo&.  v.  13. 
-  "  Thefe 


288    CONSIDEIIATIONS  on  rk^ 


Thefe  people  far  ofF  from  Canaan,  agaiiif# 
whom  Ifrael  was  fent  to  battle,  were  fo  cor-^^ 
rupt,  that  the  creator  of  the  univerfe  faw  it 
good  to  change  their  fituation;  and  in  cafe 
of  their  opening  their  gates,  and  coming  nn^ 
der  tribvite,  this  their  fiibje^ion^  though  pro- 
bably more  mild  than  abfoliite  flavery,  wai^ 
to  laft  little  or  no  longer  than  while  Ifrael  re- 
mained in  the  true  fpirit  of  government. 

It  was  pronounced  by  Mofes  the  prophet/' 
as  a  confequence  of  their  wickednefs,  The^ 
"  ffcranger  that  is  within  thee  fhall  get  abovd 
thee  very  high ;  and  thou  flialt  come  down* 
very  low  :  he  ihall  be  the  head^  and  thott' 
the  tail/'    Deut.  xxviii.  43,  44* 
This  we  find  in  fome  meafure  verified  iri 
their  being  made  tributaries  to  the  Moabite^, 
MidianiteSj  Amorites  and  Phil i (lines. 

It  is  alledged  in  favour  of  the  practice  of. 
Have-keepings  that  the  Jews  by  their  law 
made  flaves  of  the  Heathen,  Levit.  xxv.  45; 
Moreover,  of  the  children  of  the  ftrangers 
that  do  fojourn  amongft  you,  of  them  lhall 
"  y^  buy,  and  of  their  children,  which  are 
f  with  you,  which  they  begat  in  your  land  ; 

and  they  fliall  be  your  pollefiion ;  and  you 
"  fliall  take  them  as  an  inheritance  for  your 
children  after  you,   to  inherit  them  as  a 
pofleflion,  they  fliall  be  your  bondmen  for 
ever.'' — — It  is  difiicult  for  us  to  have  any 
certain  knowledge  of  the  mind  of  Mofes,  in 
regard  to  keeping  flaves,  any  other  way  than 
by  looking  upon  him  as  a  true  fervant  of  God, 
wbofe  iniijd  and  conduct  were  regulated  by 

an 


Keeping-,  j^i^  U^^G^QES.  ■ 


An  imyard  principle  ef  juftke  and  equit^^  To 
admit  a  fuppofition  that  he  in  that  cafe  waj5 
drawn  from  perfed:  equity  by  the  alliance  o£ 
outward  kindred,  would  be  to  difown  his  au- 
thority. 

Abraham  had  fervants  born  in  his  houfe^ 
and  bought  with  his  money  :      And  the  Al- 

mighty  faid  of  Abraham,  I  know  him, 
*^  that  he  will  order  his  houfe  after  him.'^ 
Which  implies,  that  he  was  as  a  father,  kn 
inflrucflor,  and  a  good  governor  over  his  peo-  ^ 
pie.  And  Mofes,  coniidered  as  a  man  of 
God,  mud  nec'effarily  have  had  a  profpexft  of 
fome  real  advantage  in  the  ftrangers  and  hea- 
thens being  fervants  to  the  Ifraelites  for  a 
time. 

As  mankind  had  received  and  eftablifhed  - 
many  erroneous  opinions  and  hurtful  crlf- 
toms,  their  living  and  converling  with  the 
Jews,  while  the  Jews  ftood  faithful  to  their 
principles,*  might  be  helpful  to  renlove  thofe 
errors,  and  reform  their  manners.  -Bur 
for  men,  with  private  view^s,  to  afTume  an 
labfolute  power  over  the  perfons  and  propea^- 
ties  of  others  ;  and  continue  it  from  age  to 
kge  in  the  line  of  natural  generation,  ^  with- 
out regard  to  the  virtues  and  vices  of  their 
fucceifors,  as  it  is  manifeftly  contrary  to  true 
vmiverfal  love,  and  attended  with  great  evils, 
there  requires  the  clearefh  evidence  to  beget  a 
belief  in  us,  that  Mofes  intended  that  the 
ftrangers  fliouid  as  fuch  be  flaves  to  the  Jews. 

He  direded  them  to  buy  ftrangers  and  fo-  ^ 
journers.— It  appears  that  there  were  jftrang- 

.1 ^  U  ers , 


-90   CONSIDERATIONS  on  Trijfe 

ers  in  Ijfrael  who  were  free  men ;  and  confi-* 
dering  witK  what  tendernefs  and  humanity 
the  Jews,  by  their  law,  were  obliged  to  ufe 
their  fervants,  and  what  care  Was  to  be  taken 
to  inftrudl  them  in  the  true  religion,  it  is  not 
unhkely  that  foiiie  ftrangers  in  poverty  and 
diftrefs  Were  willing  to  enter  into  bonds  to 
f<^rve  the  Jews  as  long  as  they  lived  j  ,  and  in  . 
luch  cafe  the  Jews,  by  their  laW,  had  a  right 
to  their  fervice  during  life. 

When  the  awl  was  bored  through  the  ear  . 
of  the  Hebrew  fervant,  the  text  faith,  He 

fliall  fcrve  for  ever;"  yet  we  do  not  fup-f 
pofe  that  by  the  word  for  ever,"  it  was  in-^^ 
tended  that  none  of  his  pofterity  fhould  af-^.. 
terwards  be  free  ;  when  it  is  faid  in  regard  tof 
the  ftrangers  which  they  bought,  They^ 

fhall  be  your  pofFeffion,'^'  it  may  be  welf 
iTuderftood  to  mean  only  the  perfons  fo  pur- 
chafed  ;  all  preceding  relates  to  buying  them ; 
and  what  follows,  to  the  continuance  of  their . 
fervice,    "  You  fliall  take  them  as  an  inhe-:t 

ritance:  to  your  children  after  yoti ;  they 

fhall  be  your  bondmen  for  ever/'  It  may 
be  well  underflood  to  ftand  limited  to  thofe 
they  purchafed. 

Mofes,  directing  Aaron  and  ^ his  fons  to 
wafh  their  hands  and  feet,  when  thev  went  ^ 
into  the  tabernacle  of  the  congregation,  faith,  v 

It  Xliall  be  a  ftatute  for  ever  to  them,  even  ^ 

to  him  and  his  i'eed  throughout  all  gene- 
^'.ji'ations/'  And  to  exprefs  the  continuance 
of  the  law,  it  was  his  common  language, 
*';^|t5  |}i^,,t!^  for  ever  throughput;^: 


K  £  E  p  I  NEGROES.  ^291 

generations."'  So  that  had  he  intend- 
ed the  pofterity  of  the  ftrangers  fo  purchafed 
to  continue  in  flavery  to  the  Jews,  it  looks 
Hkely  that  he  would  have  ufed  fbme  terms 
clearly  to  exprefs  it.  The  Jews  undoubtedly- 
had  flaves,  whom  they  kept  as  fuch  from  one 
age  to  another ;  but  that  this  was  agreeable 
to  the  genuine  defign  of  their  infpired  lawr 
giver;  is  far  from  being  a  clear  cafe. 

Making  conllrudions  of  the  law  contrary 
to  the  true  meaning  of  it,  was  common  a- 

niongft  that  people.  Samuel's  fons  took 

bribes,  and  perverted  judgment.- — — Ifaiah 
complained  that  they  juftified  the  wicked  for 
reward.  - — ^ —  Zephaniah,  cotemporary  with 
Jeremiah,  on  account  of  the  injuftice  of  the 
civil  magiftrates,  declared  that  thofe  judges 
were  evening  wolves  ;  and  that  the  priefts 
did  violence  to  the  law. 

Jeremiah  acquaints  us,  that  the  priefts 
cried  peace,  peace,  when  there  was  no  peace  ; 
by  which  means  the  people  grew  bold  in 
their  wickedncfs  ;  and  having  committed  a- 
bominations,  were  not  alhamed  ;  but,  thro* 
wi^ong  conftrudlions  of  the  law,  they  juftifi- 
ed themfelves,  and  boaftingly  faid     We  are 

wife ;  and  the  law  of  the  Lord  is  with  us.'* 
Thefe  corruptions  continued  till  the  days  of 
our  Saviour,  who  told  the  Pharifees,  You 

have  made  the  commandment  of  God  of 

none  effedl  through  your  tradition." 

Thus  it  appears  that  they  corrupted  the 
law  of  Mofes  ;  nor  is  it  unlikely  that  among 
many  others  this  was  one  j  for  opprefling  the 
-^^^'^^  "  V  2  ftranger^^ 


t^i   CONSIDERATIONS  01^  THE  . 

ilrangers  was  a  heavy  charge  agamft  thtf 
Jews,  and  very  often  ftrongly  reprefented  by 
the  Lord's  faithful  prophets. 

That  the  hberty  of  man  was,  by  the  in- 
fpired  law-giver,  efteemed  precious,  appear^ 
in  this  ;   that  fuch  who  unjuftly  deprived 
men  of  it,  were  to  be  punifhed  in  like  man- 
ner as  if  they  had  murdered  them.  He 
that  flealeth  a  man,  and  felleth  him  ;  or  if 
he  be  found  in  his  hand,  fhall  furqly  be 
put  to  death.''    This  part  of  the  law  wa& 
fb  confiderable,  that  Paul,  the  learned  Jew^ 
giving  a  brief  account  of  the  ufes  of  the  law, 
adds  this,  "  It  was  made  for  men*ftealers,'^ 
I  Tim.  i.  fo. 

The  great  men  amongft  that  people  were 
exceeding  oppreffive ;   and,  it  is  likely,  ex- 
erted their  whole  ftrength  and  influence  to 
have  the  law  conftrued  to  fuit  their  turns.— 
The  honeft  fervants  of  the  lord  had  heavy 
work  with  them  in  regard  to  their  oppreffi- 
on  ;  a  few  inftances  folio v/.        Thus  faith 
the  Lord  of  hofts,  the  God  of  Ifrael,  a- 
mend  your  ways,  and  your  doings  ;  and  I 
will  caufe  you  to  dwell  in  this  place.  If 
you  throughly  execute  judgment  between 
*'  a  man  and  his  neighbour  ;  if  you  opprefsr 
not  the  ftranger,  the  fatherlefs  and  the  wi- 
^'  dow;  and  flied  not  innocent  blood  in  this 
place  ;   neither  walk  after  other  gods  to 
your  hurt,  then  will  I  caufe  you  to  dwell 
in  this  place,"  Jcr.  vii.     -  Again  a  meT- 
fage  was  f^t  not  only  to  the  inferior  mini- 
fter$  of  iuftice,  bm  alfo  to  the  chief  ruleiV 

Thu« 


Keeping   op  NEGROES.  293 

Thus  faith  the  Lord,  go  down  to  the  houfe 
of  the  king  of  Judah,  and  fpeak  there  this 
word;  execute  ye  Judgment  and  righteouf- 
nefs,  and  deUver  the  fpoiled  out  of  the 
hand  of  the  oppreffor  ;  and  do  no  wrong; 
do  no  violence  to  the  flrangcr,  the  father- 
lefs  and  the  wddow  ;  neither  Ihed  innocent 
blood  in  this  place."  Then  adds,  That 
in  fo  doing  they  fhould  profper  ;  but  if  yc 
will  not  hear  thefe  words,  I  fwear  by  my-- 
felf,  faith  the  Lord,  that  this  houfe  fhall 
^'  become  a  defolation,"  Jer.  xxii. 

The  king,  the  princes  and  rulers  were  a- 
greed  in  opprefhon  before  the  Babylonilh 
captivity  ;  for  whatever  courts  of  juflice  were 
retained  amongft  them  ;  or  however  they  de- 
cided matters  betwixt  men  of  ellates,  it  is 
plain  that  the  caufe  of  the  poor  was  not  judg- 
ed in  equity. 

It  appears  that  the  great  men  amongft  the 
Jews  were  fully  refolved  to  have  flaves,  even 
of  their  own  brethren,  Jer.  xxxiv.  Notwith- 
llanding  the  promifes  and  threatenings  of  the 
Lord,  by  the  prophet,  and  their  folemn  co- 
venant to  fet  them  free,  confirmed  by  the 
imprecation  of  palTing  between  the  parts  of  a 
calf  cut  in  twain ;  intimating,  by  that  cere- 
jnony,  that  on  breach  of  the  covenant,  it 
%vere  juft  for  their  bodies  to  be  fo  cut  in 
pieces. — -Yet  after  all,  they  held  faft  to  their 
old  cuftom,  and  called  home  the  fervants 
j|5A'hom  they  had  fet  free.rr-^''  And  ye  were 
now  turned,  and  had  done  right  in  my 
.     fight,  in  procbfiming  liberty  every  man  to 

his 


^94    CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

his  neighbour  ;  and  ye  had  made  a  cover 
nant  before  me,  in  the  houfe  which  is  cal^ 
ed  by  my  name ;  but  ye  turned,  and  pol- 
hited  my  name,  and  caufed  every  man  his 
fcrvant,  v^hom  he  had  fet  at  hberty  at  their 
pleafure,  to  return,  and  brought  them  in- 
to  fubjeftion,  to  be  unto  you  tor  fervants;, 
and  for  handmaids :  therefore  thvis  laith 
the  Lord,  ye  have  not  hearkened  unto  me, 
in  proclaiming  Hberty  every  one  to  his 
neighbour,  and  every  one  to  his  brothex\ 
Behold,  I  proclaim  liberty  to  you,  faith 
the  Lord,  to  the  fv/ord,  to  the  peftilence, 
and  to  the  famine;  and  I  will  make  you 
to  be  removed  into  all  the  kingdoms  of  the 
earth.— The  men  who  tranfgrefled  my  co-- 
venant  Vv^hich  they  made,  and  paffed  be- 
^'  tween  the  parts  of  the  calf,  I  will  give  in- 
to  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  and  their 
^-  dead  bodies  ihall  be  for  ndeat  unto  the; 
fowls  of  the  heaven,  and  the  beafts  of  the 

"  earth"   

Soon  after  this  their  city  was  taken  and 
burnt ;  the  king's  fons  and  the  princes  ilain  ; 
and  the  king,  with  the  chief  men  of  his  king- 
dom, carried  captive  to  Babylon.- — Ezekiel, 
prophefying  the  return  of  that  people  to  their 
own  land,  '  diredls,       Ye  fhall  divide  the 
laud  by  lot,  for  an  inheritance  unto  you, 
and  to  the  ftrangers  that  ibjourn  amongfl 
you  ;  in  what  tribe  the  ftranger  fojourns, 
^\  there  fliall  ye  give  him  his '  inheritance, 
faith  the  Lord  God.''    Nor  is  this  particix- 
lar  direcHon,  and  Che  authority  with  whicj:^ 


^  K  E  E  p  I N  G' '  b V"     E  G  R O  E  S.  -Idx^s 

it  is  enforced,  without  a  tacit  implication, 
that  their  anceftors  had  erred  in  their  cpndudl 
towards  the  flranger.  '       ^  ■ 

-  Some  who  keep  flaves,  have  doubted  as  to 
the  equity  of  the  pr acTtice  ;  but  as  they  knew 
men,  noted  for  their  piety,  wdio  were  ill  it, 
this,  they  fay,  has  made  their  minds  eafy. 
'  To  lean  on  the  example  of  men  in  doubt- 
ful cafes,  is  difficult :  for  only  admit,  that 
thofe  men  were  Hot  faithful  and  upright  to 
the  higheft  degree,  but  that  in  fome  particu- 
lar cafe  they  erred,  and  it  may  follow  that 
this  one  cafe  was  the  fame,  about  which  we 
are  in  doubt ;  and  to  quiet  our  minds  by 
their  example,  may  be  dangerous  to  our- 
felves  ;  and  continuing  in  it,  prove  a  ftum- 
bling  block  to  tender-minded  people  who 
fucceed  us,  in  like  manner  as  their  exainples 
are  to  us. 

But  fuppofing  charity  was  their  only  mo- 
tive, and  they  not  forefeeing  the  tendency  of 
paying  robbers  for  their  booty,  were  not  juft- 
ly  under  the  imputation  of  being  partners 
with  a  thief,  Prov.  xxix.  24.  but  were  really 
innocent  in  what  they  did,  are  we  alTured 
that  we  keep  them  with  the  fame  views  they 
kept  them  ?  If  we  keep  them  from  no  other 
motive  than  a  real  fenfe  of  duty,  and  true 
charity  governs  us  in  all  our  proceedings  to- 
ward them,  we  are  fo  far  fafe :  but  if  another 
fpirit,  which  inclines  our  minds  to  the  ways 
of  this  world,  prevair  upon  us,  and  we  are 
concerned  for  our  own  outward  gain  more 
tlian  fgr  their  real  happinefs,  it  will  avail  us 

nothing 


296  CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


iiQthing  that  fome  good  men  have  had  the 
care  and  management  of  Negroes. 

Since  mankind  fpread  upon  the  earth,  ma- 
ny have  been  the  revolutions  attending  the 
feveral  famihes,  and  their  cufloms  and  wavs 
of  Ufe  different  from  each  other.  This  di- 
verlity  of  manners,  though  fome  are  prefer- 
able to  others,  operates  not  in  favour  of  any, 
fb  far  as  to  juftify  them  to  do  violence  to  in- 
nocent men  ;  to  bring  them  from  their  owa 
to  another  v^^ay  of  life.  The  raind,  when 
moved  by  a  principle  of  true  love,  may  feel 
a  warmth  of  gratitude  to  the  univerfal  father, 
and  a  lively  fympathy  with  thofe  nations, 
whefe  diviflq  Light  has  been  lefs  manifeftv 

This  delirq  for  their  real  good  may  beget  a 
willingaefs  to  undergo  hardihips  for  theii" 
iakes,  that  the  true  knowledge  of  God  may 
be  fpread  amongfl  them  :  but  to  take  them 
from  their  own  land,  with  views  of  profit  to 
purfelves,  by  means  inconfiflent  with  pure 
juflice,  is  foreign  to  that  principle  which 
Veeks  the  happinefs  of  the  whole  creation. 
Forced  fiibje£lion,  of  innocent  perfbns  of  full 
:s^ge,  is  inconfiflent  with  right  reafon  ;  on  one 
tide,  the  human  mind  is  not  naturally  forti- 
fied with  that  firmnefs  in  wifdom  and  good- 
iiefs,  necelTary  to  an  independant  ruler;  on 
the  other  fide,  to  be  fubjc-'^  to  the  uncon- 
troulable  will  of  a  man,  liable  to  err,  is  mod 
painful  and  afHicting  to  a  confcientious  crea- 
ture. 

It  i^  'dur  happinefs  faithfully  to  ferve  the 
|livine  Being,  who  made  us  ;  his  perfedlioa 

makes 


.  K  K  E  p  I K  G.^  o  r  NEGROES.  297 


fnakes  our  fervice  reafonable  ;  bvit  fo  long  as 
men  are  biaffed  by  narrow  felf-love,  fo  long 
an  abfolute  power  over  other  men  is  mifit  for 
tiaem. 

Men,  taking  on  them  the  government  of 
others,  may  intend  to  govern  reafojiably,  and 
make  their  fubjeds  more  happy  than  they 
would  be  otherwife  ;  but,  as  abfolute  com- 
mand belongs  only  to  him  who  is  perfedl, 
where  frail  men,  in  their  own  wills,  alUime 
ilich  command,  it  hath  a  diredl  tendency  to 
vitiate  their  minds,  and  make  them  more 
unfit  for  government. 

Placing  on  men  the  ignominious  title 
SLAVE,  drefTuig  them  in  uncomely  gar- 
ments, keeping  them  to  fervile  labour,  in 
which  they  are  often  dirty,  tends  gradually' 
to  fix  a  notion  in  the  mind,  that  they  are  a 
fort  of  people  below  us  in  nature,  and  leads 
us  to  confider  them  as  fuch  in  all  our  con- 
clufions  about  them.  And,  moreover,  a 
perfon  which  in  our  efceem  is  mean  and  con- 
temptible, if  their  language  or  behaviour 
toward  us  is  U-ufeemly  or  difrefpedlful,  it  ex- 
cites wrath  more  powerfully  than  the  like 
condu6l  in  one  we  accounted  our  equal  or 
fuperior;  and  where  this  happens  to  be  the 
cale,  it  difqualifies  for  candid  judgment ;  for 
it  is  unfit  for  a  perfon  to  fit  as  judge  in  a  cafe 
where  his  own  perfbnal  refentmcnts  are  ilirr- 
ed  up  ;  and,  as  members  of  fociety  in  a  well 
framed  government,  we  are  mutually  depen- 
dent. Prefent  interefh  incites  to  duty,  and 
makes  each  man  attentive  to  the  conveni- 
ence 


^^S  Ctfi^SlDERATIONS  ON  THE 


euce  of  others  ;  but  he  whofe  will  is  a  law  to 
others,  and  can  enforce  obedience  by  punilh- 
ment;  he  whofe  wants  are  fupphed  without 
feeling  any  obligation  to  make  equal  returns 
to  his  benefadlor,  his  irregular  appetites  find 
an  open  field  for  motion,  and  he  is  in  dan- 
ger of  growing  hard,  and  inattentive  to  their 
convenience  who  labour  for  his  fupport ;  arid 
fb  lofes  that  difpofition,  in  which  alone  meii 
are  fit  to  govern. 

The  Englifli  government  hath  been  com- 
mended by  candid  foreigners  for  the  difufe 
of  racks  and  tortures,  fo  much  pradlifed  in 
Ibme  ftates  ;  but  this  multiplying  Haves  now 
leads  to  it ;  for  where  people  exadl  hard  la- 
bour of  others,  without  a  faitable  reward, 
and  are  refolved  to  continue  in  that  way,  fe-^ 
-verity  to  fuch  who  oppofe  them  becomes  the 
confequencie  ;  and  feveral  Negroe  criminals, 
among  the  Englilh  in  America,  have  been 
executed  in  a  lingering,  painful  way,  very 
terrify ing^  to  others. 

-  It  is  a  happy  cafe  to  fet  out  right,  and  per- 
fcycre  in  the  fame  way  :  a  wrong  beginning 
le^ds  into  i^any  difficulties;  for  to  fupport 
one  evil'  another  becomes  cuftomary  ;  two 
produces  more  5  and  the  further  men  proceed 
in  this  way,  the  greater  their  dangers,  their 
dolibts  and  fears  ;  and  the  more  painful  and 
perplexing  are  tl^eir  circumftances  ;  fo  that 
fiich  who  are  true  friends  to  the  real  and  laft- 
ing  intereil  of  our  cpuntry,  and  candidly 
cohfider  the  tendency  of  things,  cannot  but 
feel  fome  concern  on  this  account, 
'^"^''0-1  !   "  ■  -  Thei'C 


K  E  E  PI  N  G   ovF^  N  E  G  R  Q  E  S.  I99 

There  is  that  fuperiority  in  men  over  the 
brute  creatures,  and  fome  of  them  fo  mani- 
feilly  dependent  on  men  for  a  living,  that  for 
them  to  ferve  us  in  moderation,  fo  far  as  re- 
lates to  the  right  ufe  of  things,  looks  confo- 
nant  to  the  deiign  of  our  Creator. 

There  is  nothing  in  their  frame,  nothing 
relative  to  the  propagating  their  fpecies^  which 
argues  the  contrary;  but  in  men  there  is^ 
The  frame  of  men's  bodies,  and  the  difpofi- 
tion  of  their  minds  are  different ;  fome,  who 
are  tough  and  ftrong,  and  their  minds  adlive, 
chufe  ways  of  life  requiring  much  labour  to 
fupport  them  ;  others  are  loon  weary  ;  and 
though  vife  makes  labour  more  tolerable,  yet 
fome  are  lefs  apt  for  toil  than  others,  and 
their  minds  lefs  fprightly.  Theie  latter  la- 
bouring for  their  fubfifienee,  commonly 
chufe  a  life  eafy  to  fupport,  being  content 
with  a  little.  When  they  are  weary  they  may 
reft,  take  the  moft  advantageous  part  of  the 
day  for  labour  ;  and  in  all  cafes  proportion 
one  thing  to  another,  that  their  bodies  be  noi: 
oppreiled. 

Now,  while  each  is  at  liberty,  the  latter 
may  be  as  happy,  and  live  as  comfortably 
as  the  former  ;  but  where  men  of  the  firft. 
ibrt  have  the  latter  xinder  abfolute  .command^ 
not  confidering  the  odds  in  ftrength  and  firm-- 
nefs,  do,  fome  times,  in  their  eager  purfuit,^ 
lay  on  burthens  grievous  to  be  borne  ;  by  de-^ 
^rees  grow  rigorous,  and,  afpiring  to  great- 
nefs,  they  increafe  opprelfion,  and  the  true^ 
order  of  kind  Providence  is  fubverted. 


300  CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


There  are  weaknefTes  fometimes  attending 
Xis,  which  make  little  or  no  alteration  in  our 
countenances,  nor  much  lelien  our  appetite 
for  food,  and  yet  fo  affecl  us,  as  to  make  la- 
bour very  uneafy*  In  fuch  cafe  mafters,  in- 
tent on  putting  forward  bmlnefs,  and  jealous 
of  the  fincerity  of  their  flaves,  may  dilbelieve 
what  they  fay,  and  grievouflv  afflidl  them. 

A6lion  is  neceffary  for  all  men,  and  our 
exhaufting  frame  requires  a  fupport^  which 
is  the  fruit  of  aclion.  The  earth  miift  be 
laboured  to  keep  us  alive  :  labour  is  a  proper 
part  of  our  life  ;  to  make  one  anfwer  the  o- 
ther  in  fome  ufeful  motion,  looks  agreeable 
to  the  deligit  of  our  Creator.  Motion,  right-^ 
ly  managed,  tends  to  our  fatisfadtion,  health 
and  fupport. 

Thofe  v/ho  quit  all  ufeful  bufinefs,  and  live 
wholly  on  the  labour  of  others,  have  their 
exercife  tp  feek ;  fome  fuch  ufe  lefs  than  their 
health  requires  ;  others  chufe  that  which,  by 
the  circumflances  attending  it,  proves  utter- 
ly reverie  to  true  happinefs.  Thus,  while 
fome  are  divers  ways  diftreiTed  for  want  of 
an  open  channel  of  ufeful  aclion,  thofe  who 
llipport  them  figh,  and  are  exhauiied  in  a 
ftream  too  powerful  for  nature,  fpending  their 
days  with  too  little  celTation  from  labour. 

Seed  fown  with  the  tears  of  a  confined  op- 
preiTed  people,  harvefl  cut  down  by  an  over- 
borne difcontented  reaper,  makes  bread  lefs 
fweet  to  the  tafte  of  an  honeft  man,  than 
that  which  is  the  produce,  or  juft  reward  of 


Keeping         NEGROES.  301 

fucli  voluntary  acllon,  which  is  one  proper 
parr  of  the  bulinefs  of  human  creatures. 
"  Again,  the  weak  ftate  of  the  human  fpe- 
cies,  in  hearing  and  bringing  forth  their 
young,  and  the  helplefs  condition  of  their 
young  beyond  that  of  other  creatures,  cleariy 
Ihew  that  Perfe£l  Goodnefs  defigns  a  tender 
care  and  regard  Ihould  be  exercifed  toward 
them ;  and  that  no  iraperfe(5l,  arbitrary  pow- 
er fhould  prevent  the  cordial  efiedls  of  that 
fympathy,  which  is,  in  the  minds  of  well- 
met  pairs,  to  each  other,  and  toward  their 
offspring. 

In  our  fpecies  the  mutual  ties  of  affedlion 
are  more  rational  and  durable  than  in  others 
below  us  ;  the  care  and  labour  of  raifing  our 
offspring  much  greater.  The  fatisfaxftion  a-^ 
riling  to  us  in  their  innocent  company,  and 
in  their  advances  from  one  rational  improve- 
ment to  another,  is  confiderable,  when  twa 
are  thus  joined,  and  their  ^Lffecflions  fincere* 
it  however  happens  among  flaves,  that  they 
are  often  lituate  in  different  places  ;  and  their 
feeing  each  other  depends  on  the  will  of  men, 
liable  to  human  pafhons,  and  a  bias  in  judg- 
ment ;  who,  with  views  of  felf-intereft^  may- 
keep  them  apart  more  than  is  right.  Being 
abfent  from  each  other,  and  often  with  other 
company,  there  is  a  danger  of  their  afFeclions 
being  alienated,  jealoufies  arifing,  the  hap- 
pinels  otherwife  resulting  from  their  offspring 
fruftrated,  and  the  comforts  of  marriage  de- 
ftroyed.— Thefe  things  being  confidered  clpfe- 

l7» 


302    CONSIDERATPONS  on  the 


ly,  '  as  hajppening  to  a  near  friend,  will  ap-^ 
pear  to  be  hard  and  painful. 

He  who  reverently  obferves  that  goodnefs 
manifefted  by  our  gracious  Creator  toward 
the  various  fpecies  of  beings  in  this  w^orld, 
will  fee,  that  in  our  frame  and  conftitution 
is  clearly  fliewn  that  innocent  men,  capable 
to  manage  for  themfelves,  were  not  intended 
to  be  flaves. 

A  perfon  lately  travelling  amongft  the  Ne- 
groes   near   Senegal,    hath   this  remark; 

Which  way  foever  I  turned  my  eyes  on 
"  this  pleafant  fpot,  I  beheld  a  perfedl  image 
of  pure  nature  ;    an  agreeable  folitude, 
bounded  dn  every  fide  by  charming  land-* 
fkips,  the  rural  fituation  of  cottages  in  the- 
midft  of  trees.    The  eafe  and  indolence  of 
the  Negroes  reclined  under  the  fhade  of 
their  fpreading  foliage  ;  the  fimplicity  of 
their  drefs  and  manners  ;  the  whole  reviv- 
ed  in  my  mind  the  idea  of  our  firft  parents^ 
and  I  feemed  to  contemplate  the  world  in 
its  primitive  ftate."  M.  Adanfon,  page  55. 
Some  Negroes  in  thefe  parts,  who  have 
had  an  agreeable  education,  have  manifefted 
a  brightnefs  of  underftanding  equal  to  many 
of  us.    A  remark  of  this  kind  we  find  in  Bof- 
man,  page  328.     "  The  Negroes  of  Fida, 
faith  he,  are  fo  accurately  quick  in  their 
merchandize  accounts,    that  they  eafily 
reckon  as  juftly  and  quickly  in  their  heads 
only,  as  we  with  the  afliftance  of  pen  and 
ink,  though  the  fum  amounts  to  feveral 
thoufands/' 
/  Through 


K  E  E  p  I   c?tmr  f  N  E  G  ROE  S;  303 


iTIirough  the  force  of  long  cuftom,  it  ap- 
pears needful  to  fpealc  in  relation  to  colour. — 
Suppofe  a  white  child^  born  of  parents  af  the 
meaiieft  fort,  who  died  and  left  him  an  in- 
fant, falls  into  the  hands  of  a  perfon,  who 
endeavours  to  keep  him  a  flave,  fome  men 
would  account  him  an  unjull  man  in  doing 
fb,  who  yet  appear  eafj  while  many  black 
people,  of  honeft  lives,  and  good  abilities, 
are  enllaved,  in  a  manner  more  iliockiiig 
than  the  cafe  here  fuppofed.  This  is  owing 
chiefly  to  the  idea  of  flavery  being  connecied 
with  the  black  colour,  and  liberty  with  the 
white  : — and  where  falfe  ideas  are  t willed  in- 
to our  minds,  it  is  with  difficulty  we  get 
fairly  difentangled. 

A;  traveller,  in  cloudy  weather,  mifTeth  his 
way,  makes  many  turns  while  he  is  loft  ;  ftill 
forms  in  his  mind,  the  bearing  and  fituatioa 
of  places,  and  though  the  ideas  are  wrong, 
they  fix  as  faft  as  if  they  were  right.  Find- 
ing how  things  are,  we  fee.  our  miftake  ;  yet 
the  force  of  reafon,  with  repeated  obfervati- 
ons  on  places  and  things,  donot  foon  remove 
thofe  falfe  notions,  fb  faftened  upon  us,  but 
it  will  feem  in  the  imagination  as  if  the  an- 
iuial  courfe  of  the  fun  was  altered  ;  and 
though,  by  recolledlion,  we  are  allured  it  is 
not,  yet  thofe  ideas  do  not  fuddenly  leave  us. 

Selfiilinefs  being  indulged,  clouds  the  un- 
der ftanding  ;  and  where  feififla  men,  for  a 
long  time,  proceed  on  their  way,  without 
oppofition,  the  deceiveablenefs  of  unrighte- 
oufnefs  get^  fo  rooted  in  their  intellecls,  that^ 

a  candid 


S04   CONSIDERATIONS  ON  %m 

a  candid  examination  of  things  relating  td 
felf-intereft  is  prevented  ;  and  in  this  cir-^ 
cumftance,  fome  who  would  not  agree  to 
make  a  flave  of  a  perfon  whofe  colovir  is  like 
their  own,  appear  eafy  in  making  flaves  of 
others  of  a  different  colour,  though  their  im- 
derftandings  and  morals  are  equal  to  the  gef 
iierality  of  men  of  their  own  colour. 

The  colour  of  a  man  avails  nothing,  in 
matters  of  right  and  equity,  Conhder  co- 
lour in  relation  to  treaties  ;  by  fuch,  difputes 
betwixt  nations  are  fometimes  fettled  •  And 
ihould  the  father  of  us  -all  fo  difpofe  things, 
that  treaties  with  black  men  fhould  fometimes 
be  neceifary,  how  then  would  it  appear  a- 
mongft  the  princes  and  ambaffadors,  to  infift 
on  the  prerogative  of  the  white  colour  ? 

Whence  is  it  that  men,  who  believe  in  a 
righteous  omnipotent  Being,  to  whom  ali 
nations  ftand  equally  related,  and  are  equal- 
ly accountable,  remain  fo  eafy  in  it ;  but  for 
that  the  ideas  of  Negroes  and  flaves  are  fo 
interwoven  in  the  mind,  that  they  do  not 
difcufs  this  matter  \yith  that  candour  and 
freedom  of  thought,  which  the  cafe  juftly 
calls  for  ?  •  ' 

To  come  at  a  right  feeling  of  their  condi- 
tion, requires  humble  fcrious  thinking ;  for^ 
in  their  prefent  fituation,  they  have  bvit  little 
to  engage  our  natural  afFe6lion  in  their  fa* 
your. 

Had  we  a  fon  or  a  daughter  involved  ii^^ 
the  fame  cafe,  in  which  many  of  them  are,  it 
typuld  alarm  us,  and  make  us  feci  their  con- 
dition 


ditioii  without  feeking  for  it*  The  adverfity 
of  an  intimate  friend  will  incite  out  compiif- 
iion,  while  others,  equally  good,  in  the  Hke 
troxible,  will  but  little  aflbd  us; 

Again,  the  man  in  worldly  honour^  whom 
we  conMer  as  our  fuperior,  treating  us  with 
kindnefs  and  generofity,  begets  a  return  of 
gratitude  and  friendfhip  toward  him.  We 
may  receive  as  great  benefits  from  men  a  de- 
gree lower  than  ourfelves,  in  the  dommon 
way  of  reckoning,  and  feel  ourfelves  lefs 
engaged  in  favour  of  them.  Such  ii^  our 
condition  by  nature ;  and  thefe  things  be- 
ing narrowly  watched  and  examined,  will  be 
found  to  center  in  felf-love. 

The  blacks  feem  far  from  being  oilr  kiri^ 
folks,  and  did  we  find  an.agreeable  difpofirr- 
on  and  found  underftanding  in  fome  of  them^ 
which  appeared  as  a  good  foundation  for  a 
true  friendfliip  between  us,  the  difgrace  arif-* 
ing  from  an  open  friendfhip  with  a  perfon  of 
fo  vile  a  flock,  in  the  common  efleem^  v/ould 
naturally  tend  to  hinder  it. — They  have  nei- 
ther honours,  riches,  outward  magnificence 
nor  power  ;  their  drefs  coarfe,  and  often  rag- 
ged ;  their  employ  drudgery,  and  much  in 
the  dirt :  they  have  little  or  nothing  at  com- 
mand ;  but  muft  wait  upon  and  work  for  o- 
thers,  to  obtain  the  neceffaries  of  life  ;  fo 
that,  in  their  prefent  fituation,  there  is  not 
much  to  engage  the  friendfliip,  or  move  the 
aftedlion  of  felMi  men :  but  fuch  who  live  in 
the  fpirit  of  true  charity,  to  fympathife  with 

X  the 


3o6    CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

the  affli^led  in  the  loweft  ftations  of  life,  is 
a  thing  familiar  to  them. 

Such  is  the  kindnefs  of  our  Creator,  that 
people,  applying  their  minds  to  found  wif- 
dom,  may,  in  general,  with  moderate  exer- 
cife,  live  comfortably,  where  no  mifapplied 
power  hinders  it.- — —We  in  thefe  parts,  have 
caufe  .gratefully  to  acknowledge  it.  But  men 
leaving  the  true  ufe  of  things,  their  lives  are 
lefs  calm,  and  have  lefs  of  real  happinefs  in 
them. 

Many  are  delirous  of  purchafing  and  keepw 
ing  flaves,  that  they  may  live  in  fome  mea- 
fure  conformable  to  thofe  cuftoms  of  the 
times,  which  have  in  them  a  tindlure  of  lux- 
ury ;  for  when  we,  in  the  leaft  degree,  de- 
part from  that  ufe  of  the  creatures,  for  which 
the  Creator  of  all  things  intended  them,  there 
luxury  begins. 

And  if  we  confidef  this  way  of  life  feri- 
oufly,  we  fhall  fee  there  is  nothing  in  it  fuf- 
ficient  to  induce  a  wife  man  to  chufe  it,  be-- 
fore  a  plain,  limple  way  of  living.  If  we 
examine  ftately  buildings  and  equipage,  de- 
licious food,  fuperfine  cloaths,  filks  and 
linens  ;  if  we  conlider  the  fplendour  of  xhoice 
metal  faftened  vipon  raiment,  and  the  moil 
fhowy  inventions  of  men  ;  it  will  yet  appear 
that  the  humble-minded  man,  who  is  con- 
tented with  the  true  ufe  of  houfes,  food  and 
garments,  and  chearfully  exercifeth  himfelf 
agreeable  to  his  flation  in  civil  fociety,  to 
earn  them,  ads  more  reafonably,  and  dif- 

covers 


Keeping   of   NEGROES.  307 


covers  more  foundnefs  of  underftaading  in 
his  condudl,  than  fuch  who  lay  hjsavy  bur- 
dens on  others,  to '  fupport  theinleiyes  in  a 
luxurious  way  of  Hving. 

George  Buchanan,  in  his  hifhory  of  Scot- 
land, page  62,  tells  of  fome  aacieat  inhabi- 
tants of  Britain,  who  were  derived  ffom  a 
people  that  had  a  way  of  marking  their 
bodies,  as  fome  faid,  with  inftruments  of 
iron,  with  variety  of  pidlures,  and  with  ani- 
mals of  all  fliapes,  and  wear  no  garments, 
that  they  fliould  not  hide  their  picflures';  and 
were  therefore  called  Pidls/' 

Did  we  fee  thofe  people  fhrink  with  pain, 
for  a  conliderable  time  together,  under  the 
point  or  edge  of  this  iron  inftrument,  and 
their  bodies  all  bloody  with  the  operation  ; 
did  we  fee  them  fometimes  naked,  fuffering 
with  cold,  and  refufe  to  put  on  garments, 
that  thofe  imaginary  enfigns  of  grandeur 
might  not  be  concealed,  it  is  likely  we  fhould 
pity  their  folly,  and  fondnefs  for  thofe  things : 
but  if  we  candidly  compare  their  condvi(5l, 
in  that  cafe,  with  fome  conduct  amongft 
ourfelves,  will  it  not  appear  that  our  folly  is 
the  greateft  ? 

In  true  gofpel  fimplicity,  free  from  all 
wrong  ufe  of  things,  a  fpirit  which  breathes 
peace  and  good  will  is  cheriilied  ;  bvit  when 
we  afpire  after  imaginary  grandeur,  and  ap- 
ply to  felfifh  means  to  attain  our  end,  this 
dehre,  in  its  original,  is  the  fame  with  the 
Picts  in  cutting  figures  on  their  bodies  ;  but 

X  2  th^ 


d()^lMI5MMATI0NS  0N-^ 


the  evil  cdnfequenees  tttteadi|i^  proceed* 
ings  are  the  grdateft/^^^^>^^^^^n-^^^ar^ 

A  covetous  mind^  which  feeks  opp^rttiai-*- 
ty  to  exalt  itfelf,  is  a  gf eat  eiieiny  to  trVit 
harmony  in  a  country :  enVy  aiid  grudging 
ufually  accompany  this  difpoficioti,  and  it 
tends'^^to  ftir  up  its  likenefs  ift  dthers.  And 
where  this  difpofition  aWleth  fo  high,  as  to 
lembrolden  us  to  look  upon  honefl  induflrious 
men  as  our  Own  property  during  life^  and  to 
keep  them  to  hard  labour,  to  fupport  us  ifi 
thofe  cuftoms  which  have  not  theit*  founda^ 
tion  in  right  reafon  ;  or  to  ule  any  means  of 
oppreffioh ;  a  haughty  fpirit  is  cheriflied  on 
one  fide,  and  the  defire  of  revenge  frequent- 
ly on  the  other,  till  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Und  are  ripe  for  great  commotioil  and  trou*- 
ble  ;  and  thuB  luxury  and  oppreflioti  have 
the  feeds  of  war  and  deloktioii  in  them* 


^Some  Account  of  the  SLAVE-TnADcy 

l^rom  the  writings  of  perfons  who  have  been 
at  the  places  where  they  are  firft  purchafed, 
viz* 

BO  S  M  A  M  on  ©uinea^  who  was  a  factor 
for  the  Dutch  abdut  fifteen  years  in  that 
country,  (page  339)  thus  remarks  :  BiEit 
fiiice  I  have  fo  often  mentioned  that  corft- 
mei^ce,  1  lliall  dfefcribe  how  it  is  managed 
by  our  fa^rs.    The  if  ft  bufinefs  of  one 

-  '  of 


^Me  e  p  I  K  g  o  p        G  roes.  309 

of  our  fa6lor6^  wh^n  he  <:om€s  to  Fida,  is 
to  fatisfy  tlic  cuftomsof  the  king,  and  the 
*^  great  men,  which  amounts  to  about  one 
hundred  pounds,  in  Guinea  vahie,  as  the 
goods  muft  fell  there.     After  which  we 
*^  have  free  licence  to  trade,  which  is  pub- 
^■i  Ufhed  throughout  the  whole  land  by  the 
*'  eryer.    And  yet  before  we  can  deal  with 
any  perfon,  we  are  obliged  to  buy  the 
"  king's  whole  flock  of  flaves,  at  a  fet  price ; 

which  is  commonly  one  third  or  fourth 
*V  higher  than  ordinary.  After  which,  we 
have  free  leave  to  cjeal  with  all  his  fubjefts, 
of  what  rank  foever.  But  if  there  happen 
to  be  no  (lock  of  flaves,  the  factor  muft 
—  refolve  to  run  the  rifk  of  trufting  the  in- 
habitants  with  goods,  to  the  value  of  one 
or  two  hundred  flaves  ;  which  commodi- 
ties  they  fend  into  the  inland  country,  in 
order  to  buy  with  them  flaves  at  ail  mar- 
kets,  and  that  fometimes  two  hundred 
miles  deep  in  the  country  :  for  you  ought 
to  be  informed,  that  markets  of  men  are 
here  kept  in  the  fame  maniier  45  they  of 
^ '  beaflis  are  with  us. 

"  Moft  of  the  flaves  which  *are  offered  to 
us,  are  prifoners  of  war,  which  are  fold 

"  by  the  vidlors  as  their  booty.  When 

?^^V  thefe  flaves  come  to  Fida,  they  are  put  in 
^ifeiprifons  all  together ;  and  when  we  treat 
-^#1  concerning  them,  they  are  all  brought  out 
i>i|  in  a  large  plain,  v^here,  by  our  furgeons, 
"  whole  province  it  is,  they  are  thoroughly 
^xaniined,  even  to  the  fmalleft  member, 


3IO    CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

and  .  that  naked,  both  men  and  women, 
without  the  leaft  diftindlion  or  modefty. 
Thofe  which  are  approved  as  good,  are  fet 
on  one  fide.     The  invaHds  and  maimed 

^'  being  throvvn  out,  the  remainder  are  num- 
bered,  and  it  is  entered  who  deHvered 
them  :  in  the  mean  while  a  burning  iron, 
with  the  arms  or  name  of  the  company, 
hes  in  the  fire,  with  which  ours  are  mark- 
ed  on  the  breafh.  This  is  done,  that  we 
may  diftinguifli  them  from  the  flaves  of 
the  Enghlli,  French,  or  others.  When 
we  have  agreed  with  the  owners  of  the 
flaves,  they  are  returned  to  their  prifons, 
w^here,  from  that  time  forward,  they  are 

^'  kept  at  our  charge,  coft  us  two-pence  a 
day  a  flave,  which  ferves  to  fubfift  them, 
hke  our  criminals,  on  bread  and  water  : 
fo  that,  to  fave  charges,  we  fend  them  on 
board  our  fliips  the  firft  opportunity  ;  be- 
fore  which  their  matters  ftrip  them  of  all 
they  have  on  their  backs,  fo  that  they 
come  aboard  ftark  nakqd,  as  well  women 
as  men  ;  in  which  condition  they  are  o- 
bliged  to  continue,  if  the  mafler  of  the 
Chip  is  not  fo  charitable  (which  he  com- 
monly  is)  as  to  beftow  fomething  on  them, 

^'  to  cover  their  nakednefs. 

Same  author,  page  310.  ^'  The  inhabi- 
tants  of  Popo,  as  well  as  thofe  of  Goto,  de- 
pend  on  plunder,  and  the  flave- trade,  in 
both  which  they  very  much  exceed  the  lat- 

^'  ter  ;  for  being  endowed  with  more  courage, 
they  rob  more  fuccefsfully,  and  by  that 

means 


Keeping   of  NEGROES.  311 


means  increafe  their  trade  :  notwithftand- 
ing  which,  to  freight  a  veflel  with  flaves, 
requires  fome  months  attendance.  In  the 
year  1697,  in  three  days  time  I  could  get 

^'  but  three  ilaves  ;  but  they  affared  me,  that 
if  I  would  have  patience  for  other  three 
days  only,  they  Ihould  be  able  to  deliver 
me  one  or  two  hundred." 
Bofman,  page  440.       We  cafl  anchor  at 

V  cape  Mizurada,  but  not  one  Negroe  coming 
on  board,  I  went  on  fhore  ;  and  being  defi- 
rous  to  be  informed  why  they  did  not  come 
on  board,  was  anfwered.  That  about  two 
months  before,  the  Englifh  had  been  there 
with  two  velTels,  and  had  ravaged  the  coun- 
try,  deftroyed  all  their  canoes,  plundered 

^'  their  houfes,  and  carried  off  fome  of  their 

"  people  for  flaves  ;  upon  which  the  re- 
mainder  fled  to  the  inland  country.  They 

^'  tell  us,  they  live  in  peac€  with  all  their 
neighbours,  and  have  no  notion  of  any 
other  enemy  than  the  Englifli ;  of  which 

^'  nation  they  had  taken  fome  then  :  and 
publickly  declared,  that  they  would  en- 
deavour  to  get  as  many  of  them,  as  the 
two  mentioned  fliips  had  carried  off  of 
their  natives.  Thefe  unhappy  Englifli 
were  in  danger  of  being  facrificed  to  the 
the  memory  of  their  friends,  which  fome 
of  their  nation  carried  off," 

EX- 


31:3  CaNSIJ)ERATI0NJ5-o^  tsTe 
/EXTRACTS   fmm  W<:on^mS^ 

-      •  -'  VO  Y  A  G  E-S;  l^^^^  WV^ 

'T^  H  E  author,  a  popilli  miirionaiy,  fpeak^ 
ing  of  his  departing  from  the  Negroe 
country  to  frazil,  faith,      I  remember  the  > 
duke  of  Banjibay  (a  Negroe  chief )  ai'i^  day 
fent  me  feveral  blacks,  to  be  my  ilaves,  which 
I  wmild  not  accept  of ;  but  feat  them  back 
to  him.    I  afterwards  told  him,  i  came  not^\ 
ipto  his  country  to  naak^  flavcs;  but  rather 
to  dehver  thofe  from  the  llavery  of  the  devil,  v 
\^hom  he  kept  in  miiirable  thraldom.    The  ' 
J  hip  I  went  aboard  was  loaded  with  elephaiKs 
tgeth,  and  llaves,  to  th-e  number  of  Hx  hua-*' 
dred  and  eighty  men,  woraeri  and  ehiidreni 
It  was  a  pitiful  fight  to  behold  how  ali  theie 
people  were  befto wed.    The  men  w^ere  ftand^^ 
iag  ill  the  hold,  faftencd  on^  to  another  witk^^ 
flakes,  for  fear  they  ihouid  rife  and  kill  the 
whites  :  the  women  were  between  the  decksj, 
and  thofe  that  were  with  child  in  the  g]*eat^ 
cabbin  :  thf  children  in  the  ft eerage,  prefTed^ 
together  like  herrings  in  a  barrel  ;  v/hich 
caufed  an  intolerable  heat  and  fteuch.''  Page 

5^7- 

It  is  now  time  (faith  the  fame  author) 
to  fpeak  of  a  brutifii:  cuflom  tlieie  people 
have  amongil  them  in  making  flaves  ;  which  . 
I  take  not  to  be  lawful  for  any  perfon  of  a 

good  confcience  to  buy."-  

He  then  defer ibes  how  women  betray  men 
into  flavery,  and  adds,  There  are  others 
going  up  into  the  inland  country,  and,  thro' 

,  pretence 


K  i:  E  p  t  N    'of  NEGROES.    3 13 


pretence  of  jurifdidlioa,  feize  men.  upon  any 
trifling  offence,   and  fell  them  for  ilaves/' 

P^ge  537- 

The  author  of  this  treatife,  converilng  with 
a  perfon  of  good  credit,  was  informed  by  him, 
that  in  his  youth,  while  in  England,  he  was 
minded  to  come  to  America,  and  happening 
on  a  veiTel  bound  for  Guinea,  and  from 
thence  into  America,  he,  with  a  view  to  fee 
Africa,  went  on  board  her,  and  continued 
with  them  in  their  voyage,  and  fo  came  into 
this  country.  Among  other  circumflances 
he  related  thefe.  They  purchafed  on  the 
coaft  about  three  hundred  flaves  ;  forne  of 
them  he  under  flood  were  captives  of  war ; 

fbme  ftoleri  by  other  Negroes  privately.  

When  they  had  got  many  flaves  on  board, 
but  were  flill  on  that  coafl,  a  plot  was  laid 
by  an  old  Negroe,  notwithflanding  the  men 
had  irons  on  their  hands  and  feet,  to  kill  the 
Englifli  and  take  the  veffel ;  which  being  dif-^  - 
covered,  the  man  was  hanged,  and  many  of 
the  flaves  made  to  fhoot  at  him  as  he  hung 
up.'* 

Another  (lave  was  charged  with  having  a 
defign  to  kill  the  Englifh  ;  and  the  captain 
fpoke  to  him  in  relation  to  the  charge  brought 
againft  him,  as  he  flood  on  deck  ;  whereup- 
on he  immediately  threw  himlelf  into  the 
fea,  and  was  drowned." 

Several  Negroes,  confined  on  board,:vv  ere^ 
he  faid,  fo  eictremely  uneafy  with  their  cori-» 
dition,  that  after  many  endeavours  ufed, 
they  could  never  make  them  eat  nor  drink  , 

after 


314    CONSIDERATIONS  on  tHE 

after  they  came  in  the  veffel ;  but  in  a  defpe- 
rate  refolution  flarved  tliemfelves  to  death, 
behaving  toward  the  lafl  hke  mad-men." 

In  Randall's  geography,  printed  1744,  we 
are  informed,  That  in  a  time  of  full  peace 
nothing  is  more  common  than  for  the  Negroes 
of  one  nation  to  fteal  thofe  of  another,  and 
fell  them  to  the  Europeans.  It  is  thought 
that  the  Engliih  tranfmit  annually  near  fifty 
thoufand  of  thefe  unhappy  creatures  ;  and 
the  other  European  nations  together,  about 
tv/o  hundred  thoufand  more." 

It  is  through  the  goodnefs  of  God  that  the 
reformation  from  grofs  idolatry  and  barbari- 
ty hath  been  thus  far  effedled  ;  if  we  confi- 
dcr  our  conditions  as  chriftians,  and  the  be*^ 
nefits  w^e  enjoy,  and  compare  them  with  the 
condition  of  thofe  people,  and  coniider  that 
our  nation  trading  w^th  them  for  their  coun- 
try produce,  have  had  an  opportunity  of  im- 
parting ufeful  inftru6lions  to  them,  and  re- 
member that  but  little  pains  have  been  taken 
therein,  it  muft  look  like  an  indifFerence  in 
us. — ■ — But  w^hen  we  refledl  on  a  cuftom  the 
moft  fliocking  of  any  amongft  them,  and  re- 
member that,  vnth  a  view  to  outw^ard  ffain, 
we  have  joined  as  parties  in  it ;  that  our  con- 
currence v/ith  them  in  their  barbarous  pro- 
ceedinp's,  has  tended  to  harden  them  in  cru- 
city,  and  been  a  means  of  increafing  calami- 
ties in  their  country,  we  muft  own  that 
herein  we  have  a6ted  contrary  to  thofe  w^or- 
tlii^s  w^hofe  lives  and  fubftance  v/ere  ihcnt  in 
propagating  truth  and  righteoufuels  amongft 


Keeping   of  NEGROES.  315 


the  heathen.  When  Saul,  by  the  hand  of 
Doeg,  flew  four  fcore  priefts  at  once,  he  had 
a  jealoufy  that  one  of  them  at  leaft  was  con- 
federate with  David,  whom  he  confidered  as 

his  enemy.-  Herod  flaying  all  the.  male 

children  in  Bethlehem  of  two  years  old  and 
under,  was  an  a6t  of  uncommon  cruelty  ;  bulj 
he  fuppofed  there  was  a  male  child  there, 
within  that  age,  who  was  likely  to  be  king 
of  the  Jews,  and  finding  no  way  to  deflroy 
him,  but  by  deftroying  them  all,  thought 
this  the  mofl:  effecftual  means  to  fecure  the 
kingdom  to  his  own  family. 

When  the  fentence  againft  the  proteftants 
of  Marindol,  &c.  in  France,  was  put  in  ex- 
ecution, great  numbers  of  people  fled  to  the 
wildernefs  ;  amongft  whom  were  ancient 
people,  women  great  with  child,  and  others 
with  babes  in  their  arms,  who  endured  cala- 
mities grievous  to  relate,  and  in  the  end  fome 
periflied  with  hunger,  and  many  were  de- 
llroyed  by  fire  and  fword  ;  but  they  had  this 
objection  againfl:  them,  That  they  obftinately 
periifted  in  oppofition  to  holy  mother  church, 
and  being  hereticks,  it  was  right  to  work 
their  ruin  and  extirpation,  and  raze  out  their  | 
memory  from  among  men..  Fox's  Adls  and 
Monuments,  page  646. 

In  favour  of  thofe  cruelties,  every  one  had 

what  they  deemed  a  plea.  Thefe  fcenes  of 

blood  and  cruelty  among  the  barbarous  in- 
habitants of  Guinea,  are  not  lefs  terrible 
than  thofe  now^  mentioned.  They  are  con- 
tinued from  one  age  to  another?  and  we  make 

Qurfelves; 


/ 


Si6    CDT^SfOTllATIONS  gn  the 


ourfelTes  parties  and  fellow-helpers  in  them; 
nor  do  I  fee  that  we  have  any  plea  in  our  fa- 
vour more  plaufible  than  the  plea  of  Saixl,  of 
Herod,  or  the  French  in  thofe  llaughters. 

Many  who  are  parties  in  this  trade,  by 
Jkeeping  flaves  with  views  of  felf-intereft> 
were  they  to  go  as  foldiers  in  one  of  thefe  in- 
land expeditions  to  catch  flaves,  they  muft 
neceflarily  grow  diffatisfied  with  ftich  em- 
ploy, or  ceafe  to  profefs  their  religious  prin- 
ciples. And  though  the  fir  ft  and  moft  faik- 
ing  part  of  the  fcene  is  done  at  a  great  dif- 
tance,  and  by  other  hands,  yet  every  ona 
who  is  acquainted  with  the  circumftances, 
and  notwithftanding  joins  in  it  for  the  fake 
of  gain  only,  muft,  in  the  nature  of  things, 
be  chargeable  with  the  others. 

Should  we  confider  ourfelves  prefent  as 
fjieclators,  when  cruel  Negroes  privately 
c^tch  innocent  children,  who  are  employed 
in'  the  fields  ;  hear  their  lamentable  cries, 
xmder  the  moft  terrifying  apprehenfions  ;  or 
ihovild  we  look  upon  it  as  happening  in  our 
own  families,  having  ovir  children  carried 
ofF  by  favages,  we  muft.  needs  own,  that 
fuch  proceedings  are  contrary  to  the  nature 
of  chriftianity:  fhould  we  meditate  on  the 
■^wars  which  are  greatly  increafed  by  this 
trade,  and  on  that  aff]i6lion  which  many 
thouiancls  live  in,  through  apprehenfions  of 
being  taken  or  flain;  on  the  terror  and  a- 
mazement  that  villages  are  in,  when  fur- 
rounded  by  thefe  troops  of  enterprifers  ;  on 
the  great  pain  and  mifery  of  groaning  dying 


lCfiEPiN0-or  NEGROES.  317 


mmy  who  get  wotinded  in  thofe  fkirmiflies  ; 
we  {iiall  neGelTaFily  fee,  that  it  is  impoffible 
to  be  parties  in  fuch  a  trade,  on  the  motives 
of  gain,  and  retain  oiir  innocence. 
-  Should  we  Confided  the  cafe  of  multitudes 
o£  thofe  people,  who  in  ^  fruitful  foil^  and 
hot  climate,  with  a  little  laboui%  raife  grain, 
roots  and  pulfe  to  eat ;  fpin  and  weave  cot- 
ton^ and  faften  together  the  large  feathers  of 
fowls,  to  cover  their  nakednefs  ;  many  of 
whomy  in  much  fimpiicity,  live  iiioiFenfively 
in  their  cottages,  and  take  great  comfort  in 
raifing  up  children. 

Should  we  contemplate  on  their  circum- 
ilances,  when  fuddenly  attacked,  and  labour 
to  underftand  th-lr  inexpreffible  anguifli  of 
Ibul,  who  furvive  the  confli(fl ;  iTiould  we 
think  on  inoffenfive  women^  who  fled  at  the 
alarm,  and  at  their  return  faw  that  village^ 
in  which  they  and  their  acquaintance  were 
raifed  tip,  and  had  pleafantly  fpent  their 
youthful  days,  now  lying  in  a  gloomy  defo-^ 
lation  ;  fome  lliocked  at  finding  the  mangled 
bodies  of  their  near  friends  amongft  the  flain ; 
others  bemoaning  the  abfence  of  a  brother,  a 
fifter^  a  child,  or  a  whole  family  of  children, 
who^  by  cruel  men,  are  bound  and  carried 
to  market,  to  be  fold,  without  the  leaft  hopes 
of  feeing  them  again  :  add  to  thi$,  the  af- 
fiidled  condition  of  thefe  poor  captives,  who 
are  feparated  from  family  eonnedlions,  and 
all  the  comforts  ariiing  from  friendfhip  and 
acquaintance,  carried  amongft  a  people  of  a 
ftrange  language,  >t0  be  parted  from  their 

fellow 


3i8    CONSIDERATIONS  on 


fellow  captives,  put  to  labour  in  a  manner 
more  fervile  and  wearifome  than  what  they 
were  ufed  to,  with  many  forrowful  circum- 
ftances  attending  their  flavery  ;  and  we  muft 
neceflarily  fee,  that  it  belongs  not  to  the  fol- 
lowers of  Chrifl  to  be  parties  in  fueh  a  trade, 
on  the  motives  of  outward  gain. 

Though  there  were  wars  and  defblation  ^ 
mong  the  Negroes,  before  the  Europeans  be- 
gan to  trade  there  for  flaves,  yet  now  the  ca- 
lamities are  greatly  increafed,  fo  many  thou- 
fands  being  annually  brought  from  thence  ; 
and  we,  by  purchafing  them,  with  views  of 
felf-intereft,  are  become  parties  with  them, 
and  acceifary  to  that  increafe. 

In  this  cafe,  we  are  not  joining  againft  an 
enemy  who  is  fomenting  difcords  on  our  con- 
tinent, and  ufing  all  pofTible  means  to  make 
flaves  of  us  and  our  children  ;  but  againft  a 
people  who  have  not  injured  us. 

If  thofe  who  were  fpoiled  and  wronged, 
fliould  at  length  make  flaves  of  their  oppref- 
fors,  and  continue  flavery  to  their  pofterity, 
it  would  look  rigorous  to  candid  men  :  but 
to  adl  that  part  toward  a  people,  when  nei- 
ther they  nor  their  fathers  have  injured  us, 
hath  fomething  in  it  extraordinary,  and  re- 
quires our  ferious  attention. 

Our  children  breaking  a  bone  ;  getting  fo 
-  bruifed,  that  a  leg  or  an  arm  muft  be  taken 
off ;  loft  for  a  few  hours,  fo  that  we  defpair 
of  their  being  found  again;  a  friend  hurt, 
fo  that  he  dieth  in  a  day  or  two  ;  thefe  move 
us  with  grief:  and  did  we  attend  to  thefe 

fcenes 


Keeping   OP  NEGROES.  319 


fcenes  in  Africa,  in  like  manner  as  if  they 
were  tranfaCted  in  our  prefence  ;  and  fympa- 
thile  v/ith  the  Negroes,  in  all  their  aflli6lions 
and  miferies,  as  we  do  with  our  children  or 
friends  :  we  Ihoukl  be  more  careful  to  do  no- 
thing in  any  degree  helping  forv/ard  a  trade 
produdlive  of  fo  many,  and  fo  great  calami*- 
ties.    Great  diftauce  makes  nothing  in  our 

favour.  To  willingly  johi  with  unrighte- 

Gufnefs,  to  the  injury  of  men  who  live  fome 
thoufand  miles  off,  is  the  fame  in  fubftance, 
as  joining  with  it  to  the  injury  of  our  neigh- 
bours. 

In  the  eye  of  pure  juftice,  aclions  are  re- 
garded according  to  the  fpirit  and  difpolition 
they  arife  from  :  fome  evils  are  accounted 
fcandalous,  and  the  defire  of  reputation  may 
keep  felnlh  men  from  appearing  openly  in 
them  ;  but  he  who  is  fliy  on  that  account, 
and  yet  by  indirect  means  promotes  that 
evil,  and  fliares  in  the  profit  of  it,  cannot 
be  innocent. 

He  who,  with  a  view  to  felf-intereft,  buys 
a  flave,  made  fo  by  violence,  and  only  on  the 
ftrength  of  fuch  purchafe  holds  him  a  flave, 
thereby  joins  hands  with  thofe  who  commit- 
ted that  violence,  and  in  the  nature  of  things 
becomes  chargeable  with  the  guilt. 

Suppofe  a  man  wants  a  flave,  and  being 
in  Guinea,  goes  and  hides  by  the  path  where 
boys  pafs  from  one  little  town  to  another,  and 
there  catches  one  the  day  he  expedls  to  fail ; 
and  taking  him  on  board,  brings  him  home, 
without  any  aggravating  circumftances.  Sup- 


320   CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

pofe  another  buys  a  marij  taken  by  them 
who  Hve  by  plunder  and  the  liave-trade  : 
they  often  fteal  them  privately,  and  often 
fhed  much  blood  in  getting  them.  He  who 
buys  the  flaves  thus  taken,  pays  thofe  men  for 
their  wickednefs,  and  makes  himfelf  party 
with  them. 

Whatever  nicety  of  diflindlion  there  may 
be,  betwixt  going  in  perfon  on  expeditions  to 
catch  Haves,  and  buying  thofe,  with  a  view 
to  felf-intereft,  which  others  have  taken  ;  it 
is  clear  and  plain  to  an  upright  mind,  that 
fuch  diftin(5lion  is  in  words,  not  in  fubftance  j 
for  the  parties  are  concerfied  in  the  fame 
work,  and  have  a  neceffary  connedlion  with^ 
and  dependance  on,  each  other ;  for  were 
there  none  to  purchafe  flaves,  they  who  live 
by  ftealing  and  felling  them,  would  of  con-^ 
fequence  do  lefs  at  it. 

Some  would  buy  a  Negroc  brought  from 
Guinea,  with  a  view  to  felf-intereft,  and 
keep  him  a  flave,  who  yet  would  feem  to 
fcruple  to  take  arms,  and  join  with  men  em- 
ployed in  taking  flaves. 

Others  have  civil  Negroes,  who  were  born 
in  our  country,  capable  and  likely  to  ma- 
nage well  for  themfelves  ;  whom  they  keep 
as  flaves,  without  ever  trying  them  with 
freedom,  and  take  the  profit  of  their  labour 
as  a  part  of  their  eftates,  and  yet  difap- 
prove  bringing  them  from  their  own  coun- 
try. 

If  thofe  Negroes  had  come  here,  as  mer- 
chants, with  their  ivory  and  gold  duft,  in 

order 


j[fiK.  E  E  p  I H  gG  &  N  E  G  R  O  E      '  J2 1 


order  to  trade  with  ?as,  and  feme  pdwerftil 
perfon  had  took  their  efFeds  to  hinifelf,  and 
.then  put  them  to  hard  labour,  and  ever  aft^r 
confidered  them  as  flaves,  the  adlioa  would 
be  looked  upon  as  unrighteous. 

Thdfe  Negroe  merchants  having  children 
after  their  being  among  us,  w^hofe  endows 
ments  and  conduct  v/ere  like  other  people's  in 
common,  if  on  their  attaining  to  mature  age, 
and  requeuing  to  have  their  liberty,  they 
ihould  be  told  they  were  born  an  flavery, 
and  were  lawful  Haves,  and  therefore  their 
requeft  ihould  be  denied  ;  fuch  conduct  to- 
\vard  them,  w^ould  be  looked  upon  as  unfair 
and  opprellive. 

In  the  prefent  cafe,  relating  to  home-born 
Negroes,  whofe  underflandings  and  behaviour 
are  as  good  as  common  among  other  people, 
*  if  we  have  any  claim  to  them  as  flaves,  that 
claim  is  grounded  on  their  being  the  chil- 
dren or  offspring  of  Haves,  v/ho,  in  general, 
were  made  fuch  through  means  as  unrighte- 
ous, and  attended  with  more  terrible  circum- 
ftances  than  the  cafe  laft  fuppofed  ;  fb  that 
when  we"  trace  our  claim  to  the  bottom,  thefe 
home-born  Negroes  having  paid  for  their 
education,  and  given  reafonable  f^xkrity  tc^ 
thefe  who  owned  therft,  in  cafe  of  their  be- 
coming chargeable,  we  have  no  more  equit- 
able right  to  their  fervice,  than  we  ihould  if 
they  were  the  children  of  honefc  merchants 
w^ho  came  from  Guinea  in  an  Engliili  veiTel 
to  trade  wdth 

Y  If 


322    CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 


If  we  claim  any  right  to  them  as  the  chil- 
dren of  flaves,  we  bviild  on  the  fouiulation 
laid  by  them,  who  made  Haves  of  their  an- 
ceftors,;  fo  that  of  neceflity  we  muft  either 
juftify  the  trade,  or  rehnqniili  our  right  to 
them,  as  being  the  children  of  flaves. 

Why  fhould  it  feeiH  right  to  honefl  men  to 
make  advantage  by  thefe  p'^ople  more  than 
by  others  ?  Others  enjoy  freedorri,  receive 
wages  equal  to  their  work,  at  or  near  fuch 
time  as  they  have  difcharged  thefe  equitable 
obligations  they  are  under  to  thofe  who  edu- 
cated them.  Thefe  have  made  no  contrail 

to  ferve ;  been  no  more  expenlive  in  railing 
up  than  others,  and  many  of  them  appear  as 
likely  to  make  a  right  ufe  of  freedom  as  o- 
ther  people  ;  which  way  then  can  an  honeft 
man  withhold  from  them  that  liberty,  which 
is  the  free  gift  of  the  Moil  High  to  his  rati- 
onal creatures  ? 

The  upright  in  heart  cannot  fucceed  the 
wicked  in  their  wickednefs ;  lior  is  it  confo- 
nant  to  the  life  they  live^  to  hold  fall  an  ad- 
vantage unjuflly  gained. 

The  Negroes  who  live  by  plunder,  and  the 
flave-trade,  ileal  poor  innocent  children,  in- 
vade their  neighbours  territories,  and  fpill 
much  blood  to  get  thefe  flaves  :  and  can  it 
be  poffible  for  an  horieft  man  to  think  that,, 
with  a  view  to  felf-interefi!,  we  may  continue 
flavery  to'  the  offspring  of  thefe  un^happy 
fiifferers,.  merely  becaufe  they  are  the  chil- 
dren of  flaves,  and  not  have  a  fliare  of  this 
guilt  ?  -  It 


Keeping   of  NEGROES.  323 

It  is  granted  by  many,  that  the  means  iifed 
in  getting  them  are  unrighteous,  and  that 
buying  them,  when  brought  here^  is  wrong; 
yet. as  letting  them  free  is  attended  with  fome 
difficulty^  they  do  not  comply  with  it  i  but 
i^em  to  be  of  the  opinion,  that  to  give  them 
food  and  raiment,  and  keep  them  fervants, 
without  any  other  wages^  is  the  beft  way  to 
manage  them  that  they  know  of :  and  hoping 
that  their  children  after  them  will  not  be 
cruel  to  the  Negroes,  conclude  to  leave  them 
as  flaves  to  their  children. 

While  prefent  outward  intereft  is  the  chief 
object  of  our  attention,  we  lliall  feel  many 
objecflions  in  our  minds  againft  renouncing 
our  claim  to  them,  as  the  children  of  flaves  ; 
for  being  prepolTefled  v/ith  wrong  opinions^ 
prevents  our  feeing  things  clearly,  which, 
to  indifferent  perfons,  are  eafy  to  be  feen. 

Suppofe  a  perfon  feventy  years  paft,  in  low 
circumftances,  bought  a  Negroe  man  and 
woman,  and  that  the  children  of  fuch  perfon 
are  now  wealthy,  and  have  the  children  of 
fuch  flaves.  Admit  that  the  firfl  Negroe  man 
and  his  wife  did  as  much  buiinefs  as  their 
mafl:er  and  miflrefs,  and  that  the  children  of 
the  flaves  have  done  fome  more  than  their 
young  maflers  :  fuppofe^  on  the  whole,  that 
the  expence  of  living  has  been  lefs  on  the 
,  Negroes  fide,  than  on  the  other  (all  which 
are  no  improbable  fuppofitions)  it  follows, 
that  in  equity  thefe  Negroes  have  a  right  to  a 
part  of  this  increafe  ;  that  fliould  fome  diffi- 
culties arife  on  their  being  fee  free,  there  is 

Y  2  reafoA 


^24   CaNSIDERAriONS  on  the 


reafon  for  us  patiently  to  labour  through 
them. 

As  the  Gondudt  of  men  varies >  relating  ta 
civil  fociety-j-tfo  different  treatment  is  juftly 
due  to  them.  Indifcreet  men  occaiion  trou-^ 
ble  in  the  world  ;  and  it  remains  to  be  the 
care  of  fuchj  who  feek  the  good  of  mankind, 
to  admoiiifh  as  they  find  occaiion. 

The  flothfulnefs  of  fome  of  them,  in  pro^ 
viding  for  themfelves  and  families,  it  is  like-^ 
ly,  would  require  the  notice  of  their  neigh-^ 
bours ;  nor  is  it  unlikely  that  fome  would^ 
with  juflice,  be  made  fervants,  and  others- 
punilhed  for  their  crimes.  Pure  juflice  points 
out  to  each  individual  their  due ;  bvit  to  de- 
ny a  people  the  privilege  of  human  creatures ^> 
on  a  fuppofition  that,  being  frea,  many  of 
them  would  be  troublefome  to  us,  is  to  mix 
the  condition  of  good  and  bad  men  together^ 
and  treat  the  whole  as  the  worft  of  them  de-^ 
ferve. 

If  we  ferioufly  confider,  that  liberty  is  the 
Tight  of  innocent  men  ;  that  the  mighty  God 
is  a  refuge  for  the  opprefTed  ;  that  in  reality 
we  are  indebted  to  them  ;  that  they  being  fet 
free,  are  (till  liable  to  the  penalties  of  our 
laws,  and  as  likely  to  have  punifliment  for 
their  crimes  as  other  people  :  this  may  an- 
fwer  all  our  abjedions.  And  to  retain  them 
in  perpetual  fervitude,  without  jufl  caufe  for 
it,  will  produce  effeds,  in  the  event,  more 
grievous  than  fetting  them  free  would  doj, 
when  a  real  love  to  truth  and  equity  was  the 
motive  to  it. 

Our 


Keeping  of  NEGROES.  315 

Our  authority  over  them  ftands  originally 
in  a  purchafe  made  from  thofe  who,  as  to 
the  general,  obtained  theirs  by  tinrighteouf- 
nefs.  Whenever  we  have  reoQUrfe  to  fuch 
authority,  it  tends  raore  or  lefs  to  obflru(fl 
the  channels,  through  which  the  perfect 
plant  in  us  receives  hourifhment. 

There  is  a  principle,  which  is  pure,  placed 
in  the  human  mind,  which  in  different  places 
and  ages  hath  had  different  names;  it  is, 
however,  pure,  and  proceeds  from  God. — 
It  is  deep,  and  inward,  confiried  to  no  forms 
of  religon,  nor  excluded  from  any,  where 
the  heart  ftands  in  perfect  lincerity.  In, 
whomfoever  this  takes  root,  and  grows,  of 
what  nation  foever,  they  become  brethren, 
in  the  beft  fenfe  of  the  expreffion.  Uhng 
ourfelves  to  take  ways  which  appear  mofl  ea- 
ff  to  us,  when  inconfiflent  with  that  purity 
-which  is  without  beginning,  we  thei'eby  fet 
up  a  government  of  our  own,  and  d^ny  obe- 
dience to  him,  whofe  fervice  is  true  liberty. 

He  that  hath  a  fervant,  made  fo  vvrrongful- 
ly,  and  know^s  it  to  be  fo,  w^hen  he  treats 
him  otherwife  than  a  free  man,  when  he 
reaps  the  benefit  of  his  labour,  without  pay- 
ing him  fuch  wages  as  are  reafonably  due  ta 
free  rnen  for  the  like  fervice,  cloaths  except- 
ed ;  thefe  things,  tho'  done  in  calmnefs, 
without  any  f!iew  of  diforder,  do  yet  deprave 
the  mind  in  like  manner,  and  with  as  great 
certainty,  as  prevailing  cold  congeals  water, 
Thefe  fteps  taken  by  mafters,  and  their  con- 
duct ftiiking  the  minds  of  their  children^ 


326  CONSIDERATIONS  on  the 

wliilft  young,  leave  lefs  room  for  that  which 
is  good  to  Vv'Ork  vipon  them.  The  cuftoms 
of  their  parents,  their  neighbours,  and  the 
people  with  whom  they  converfe,  working 
upon  their  minds ;  and  they,  from  thence, 
conceiving  ideas  of  things,  and  modes  of 
condu6l,  the  entrance  into  their  hearts  be- 
comes, in  a  great  meafure,  flmt  up  againft 
the  gentle  mqvings  of  uncreated  purity. 

From  one  age  tq  another,  the  gloom  grows 
thicker  and  darker,  till  error  gets  eftablifhed 
by  general  opinion  ;  that  whoever  attends  to 
peried:  gopdnefs,  and  remains  under  the 
melting  influer^ce  of  it,  finds  a  path  un- 
known to  rnaiiy,  and  fees  the  neceiTity  to  lean 
upon  the  arm  of  diyiiie  ftrength,  and  dwe/1 
alone,  or  with  ^  few,  in  the  right  commit- 
ting their  caufc  to  him,  who  is  a  refuge  for. 
his  people,  in  all  their  troubles. 

Where,  through  the  agreement  of  a  mul- 
titude, fome  channels  of  juftice  are  flopped, 
and  men  may  fupport  their  characters  as  jufl: 
men,  by  being  juft  to  a  party,  there  is  great 
danger  of  contra6ling  an  alliance  v/ith  that 
fpirit,  which  (lands  in  oppofitioa  to  the  God 
of  loxe,  and  fpreads  difcord,  trouble,  and 
vexation  among  fuch  who  give  up  to  the  in- 
fluence of  it. 

Negroes  are  our  fellow  creatures,  and  their 
prefent  condition  amongft  us  requires  our 
fcrious  confideration.  We  know  not  the 
time  when  thofe  fcales,  in  which  mountains 
are  weighed,  may  turn.  The  Parent  of 
mankind  is  gracious  :  his  care  is  over  his 

fmalleft 


Keeping   of  NEGROES,  527 


fmalleft  creatures  ;  and  a  multitude  of  men 
efcape  not  his  notice :  And  though  many  of 
them  are  trodden  down,  and  defpifed,  yet 
he  remembers  them  :  he  feeth  their  affli6lion, 
and  looketh  upon  the  fpreading  increafing 
exaltation  of  the  opprefTor.  He  turns  the 
channels  of  power,  humbles  the  mofl  haughty 
people,  and  gives  deliverance  to  the  oppref- 
led,  at  fuch  periods  as  are  confiftent  with  his 
infinite  juftice  and  goodnefs.  And  wherever 
gain  is  preferred  to  equity,  and  wrong  things 
publickly  encouraged  to  that  degree,  that 
wickednefs  takes  root,  and  fpreads  wide  a- 
mongft  the  inhabitants  of  a  country,  there 
is  real  caufe  for  forrow  to  all  fuch,  whofe 
love  to  mankind  fhands  on  a  true  principle, 
and  who  wifely  confider  the  end  and  eyeat 
pf  things.  )  ' 


F    1     N  I 


CONSIDERATIONS 

O  N 

PURE  V7ISDOM,  and  HUMAN  POLICY^ 

O  N 

LABOUR; 

O  N 

S      C  Q       p      L  S; 

And  on  the  right  usE  of  the 

lord's  outv/ard  gifts. 

Firft  printed  in  the  year  iy6S. 


James  iii.  ij. 

The-  ^LViJdo7n  that  is  from  above ^  is  Jirjl  piire^ 
then  peaceable^  gentle^  and  eajy  to  be  mtreated^ 
jull  of  mercy ^  a7id  good  fruits^  ivithout  partia-^ 
llty^  and  ^without  hypocrfy. 


INTRODUCTION. 

li /I  T  mind  hath  often  been  affeHed  with  for- 
J.  VJ^  rozv^  on  account  of  the  prevailing  of  that 
fpirit^  nvhich  leads  from  an  humble  ivaiting  on 
the  in'ward  teaching  of  Chrif  ^  to  purfue  zuays 
of  livings  attended  uuith  unnecefary  labour^ 
and  zvhich  draivs  forth  the  minds  of  many  peo- 
ple 


INTRODUCTION.  329 

^le  to  feek  after  ontivard  poiver^  and  fo  Jlrive 
for  riches^  %vhich  frequently  introduce  opprejjton^ 
and  bring  forth  ivars  and  grievous  calamities. 

It  is  ^nth  reverence  that  I  acknowledge  the 
mercies  of  our  heavenly  Father^  voho^  in  infinite 
love^  did  vifit  me  in  my  youth ^  and  vorought  a 
helief  in  me^  that  through  true  obedience  a  fate 
of  inivard  purity  fnay  be  knoivn  in  this  life^  in 
ivhich  ive  7nay  love  mankind  in  the  fame  love 
uuith  nvhich  our  Redeemer  loveth  us^  and  there-- 
in  learn  rcftgnation  to  endure  hardjhips^  for  the 
real  good  of  others. 

While  the  eye  is  fngle^  the  vuhole  body  is 

full  of  light Mat.  vi.  22.  but  for  ivant  of 
this^  felfJJj  deftres^  and  an  imaginary  fuperiori^ 
ty^  darken  the  mind ;  hence  injiiflice  frequently 
proceeds  ;  mid  vuhere  this  is  the  cafe^  to  con- 
vince the  judgment^  is  the  ?nofi  effeBual  remedy. 

Where  violent  mcafures  are  purfued  in  oppoftng 
injiifiice^  the  pafjions^  and  refentments  of  the  in- 
jured^ frequently  operate  in  the  profecution  of 
their  defigns  ;  and  after  confiiHs  produ^ive  of 
very  great  calamities^  the  ?ninds  of  contending 
parties  often  remain  as  little  acquainted  voith. 
the  pure  principle  of  divine  love^  as  they  ivere 
before  ;  But  vuhere  people  walk  in  that  pure 
light  in  which  all  their       works  are  wrought 

in  God John  iii.  21,  and  under  opprcjjton 
perfevere  in  the  meek  fpirit^  and  abide  firm  in 
the  cauje  of  truth^  without  aciively  complying 
with  opprejfive  demands^ '  through  thofe  the 
Lord  hath  often  manifefied  his  power ^  in  open- 
ing the  underfiandings  of  others^  to  the  promot- 
ing righteoufnefs  in  the  earth, 

A  time.^ 


^3o  INTRODUCTION, 

A  time  J  I  believe^  is  comings  nvherein  this 
divine  uuork  ivill  fo  fpread  and  prevail^  that 
^'  Natio7i  Jhall  not  lift  up  fword  againjl  nation^ 
^'  nor  learn  uoar  any  more^^  Ifaiah  ii.  4.  And 
as  nve^  through  the  tender  inercies  of  God^  do 
feel  that  this  precious  uuork  is  hegun^  I  am  con- 
cerned to  encourage  my  brethren  and  ftflers  in  a 
holy  care  and  diligence^  that  each  of  us  may  fo 
live^  under  the  fmBifying  poiver  of  truth ^  as 
to  be  redeemed  from  all  unnecejpiry  cares  ;  that 
pur  eye  being  fngle  to  him^  no  cufoms^  houuever 
prevalent^  ivhich  are  contrary  to  the  ^wifdom 
frofu  above^  may  hinder  us  from  faithfully  fol-- 
hiving  his  holy  leadings^  in  uuhatfoever  he  may 
gracioiifly  appoint  for  us^ 


C  O 


PONSIDERATIPNS 


ON 

PURE  WISDOM, 

AND 

HUMAN  POLICY. 

TTT^  O  have  our  trufl  fettled  in  the  Lord, 

I  and  not  to  feek  after,  nor  defire  out- 
ward  treafures,  any  further  than  his 
holy  fpirit  leads  us  therein,  is  a  happy  flate, 
as  faith  the  prophet,  BlelTed  is  the  man 
"  that  trufteth  in  the  Lord,  and  whofe  hope 
^'  the  Lord  is/' 

Pure  wifdom  leads  people  into  lowlincfs  of 
mind,  in  which  they  learn  refignation  to  the 
divine  will,  and  contentment  in  fuffering  for 
his  caufe,  when  they  cannot  keep  a  clear  con-^ 
fcience  vvdthout  fuffering. 

In  this  pure  vvifdom  the  mind  is  attentive 
to  the  root,  and  original  Ipring  of  motions 
and  defres;  and  as  we  know      the  Lord  to 

be  our  refuge,"  and  find  no  fafety,  but  in 
humbly  w^alking  before  him  ;  we  feel  an  holy 
engagement,  that  every  defire  wdiich  leads 
therefrom  may  be  brought  to  judgment. 

While  we  proceed  in  this  precious  way^ 
and  find  ardent  longings  far  a  full  dehverance 

froni^ 


332    On    PURE  WISDOM, 

from  every  thing  which  defiles,  all  profpeds 
of  gain,  that  are  not  confiftent  with  the  wif-^ 
dom  from  above,  are  confidered  as  fnares, 
and  an  inward  concern  is  felt,  that  we  may 
live  mider  the  crofs,  and  faithfully  attend  to 
that  holy  fpirit,  which  is  fufKcient  to  pre- 
fer ve  out  of  them. 

When  I  have  confidered  that  faying  of 
Chrift,  Mat,  vi.  19,      Lay  not  up  for  your- 

felves  treafures  upon  earth,"  his  omnipo-? 
tence  hath  often  occurred  to  my  mind. 

While  we  believe  that  he  is  every  where 
prefent  with  his  people,  and  that  perfect 
goodnefs,  wifdom  and  power,  are  united  in 
him,  how  comfortable  is  the  confideration. 

Our  wants  may  be  great,  but  his  power 
is  greater.  We  may  be  opprefled  and  defpif-^ 
ed,  but  he  is  able  to  turn  our  patient  fufFer- 
ings  into  profit  to  ourfelves,  and  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  his  work  on  eai'th.  His 
people,  who  feel  the  power  of  his  crofs,  to 
crucify  all  that  is  felfifli  in  them,  who  are 
engaged  in  outward  concerns,  from  a  con- 
yincement  that  it  is  their  duty,  and  refign 
themfelves,  and  their  treafures,  to  him ;  thefe 
feel  that  it  is  dangerqus  to  give  way  to  that 
in  us,  which  craves  riches  and  greatnefs  in 
this  world. 

As  the  lieart  truly  contrite,  earneftly  de- 
fires  ^'  to  know  Chrift,   and  the  fellowfliip 

of  his  fufferings,"  PhiL  iii.  10,  fo  far  as 
the  Lord  for  gracious  ends  may  lead  into 
them  ;  as  fuch  feel  that  it  is  their  intereft  to, 
put  their  truft  in  God,  and  to  feck  no  gain 


And  human  POLICY.  333 

but  that  which  he,  by  his  holy  fpirit,  leads 
into  ;  fo,  on  the  contrary,  they  who  do  not 
reverently  wait  for  this  divine  teacher,  and 
are  not  humbly  concerned,  according  to  their 
meafure,  ^'  to  fill  up  that  which  is  behind  of 
the  alHidlions  of  Chrift,''  GoL  i.  24,  in 
patiently  fuffering  for  the  promoting  righte- 
oufnefs  in  the  earth  ;  but  have  an  eye  toward 
the  power  of  men,  and  the  outward  advan- 
tage of  wealth,  thefe  are  often  attentive  to 
thofe  employments  which  appear  pfofitable^ 
even  though  the  gains  arife  from  fuch  trade 
and  bufmefs  which  proceeds  from  the  work- 
ings of  that  fpirit,  which  is  eftranged  from 
the  felf-denying  life  of  an  humble  contrite 
chriftian. 

While  I  write  on  this  fubjeft,  I  feel  my 
tnind  tenderly  afFedled  toward  thofe  honeftly 
difpofed  people,  who  have  been  brought  upi 
in  employments  attended  with  thofe  difn- 
€ulties. 

To  fuch  I  may  fay,  in  the  feeling  of  our 
heavenly  Father's  love,  and  number  myfelf 
with  you,  O  that  our  eyes  may  be  lingle  to 
the  Lord !  may  we  reverently  wait  on  him' 
for  ftrength,  to  lay  afide  all  unnecelTary  ex-* 
pence  of  every  kindj  and  learn  contentment^ 
in  a  plain  fimple  life. 

May  we,  in  Icwlinefs,  fubmit  to  the  lead- 
ings of  his  fpirit,  and  enter  upon  any  out- 
ward employ  which  he  gracioufly  points  out 
to  us,  and  then  whatever  difficulties  arife,  in 
confequence  of  our  f^iithfulnefs,  I  truft  they 
will  work  for  ovir  good, 

Small 


534    Oh    pure   W  I  S  D  O 

Small  treafure  to  a  refigned  mind  is  fuffi-^ 
cient.  How  happy  is  it  to  be  content  with 
a  little,  to  live  in  hmnility,  and  feel  that  in 
us, .  which  breathes  out  this  language,  Abba ! 
Father. 

If  that,  called  the  wifdoni  of  this  world] 
had  no  refemblance  of  true  wifdom,  the  name 
of  wifdom,  J  fuppofe,  had  not  been  giveii 
to  it. 

As  wafting  outward  fubftance,  to  gratify 
vain  defires,  on  one  hand  ;  fb  flothfulnefs 
and  negledl,  on  the  other,  do  often  involve 
men  and  their  families  in  trouble,  and  reduce 
them  to  want  and  diftrefs  ;  to  Ihun  both  thefe 
oppofite  vices,  is  good  in  itfelf,  and  hath  a 
refemblance  of  wifdom;  but  while  people 
thus  provident,  have  it  principally  in  view  to 
get  riches,  and  power,  and  the  friendfhip  of 
this  world,  and  do  not  humbly  wait  for  the 
fpirit  of  truth  to  lead  them  in  purity  ;  thefe, 
through  an  anxious  care  to  obtain  the  end 
defired,  reach  forth  for  gain  in  worldly  wif- 
dom, and,  in  regard  to  their  inward  ftate^ 
fall  into  divers  temptations  and  fnares.  And 
though  fuch  may  think  of  applying  wealth 
to  good  purpofeSj  and  to  ufe  their  power  to 
prevent  opprefTion,  yet  wealth  and  power  is 
often  applied  othervvife;  nor  can  we  depart 
from  the  leadings  of  our  holy  fhepherd,  with- 
out going  into  confuiion. 

Great  wealth  is  frequently  attended  with 
power^  which  nothing  but  divine  love  can 
quahfy  the  mind  to  ufe  rightly  ;  and  as  to 
the  humiUty,  and  uprightncfs  of  our  chil- 
dren 


And  human  POLICY.  535 


dren  after  us,  liow  great  is  the  uncertainty ! 
If,  in  acquiring  wealth,  we  take  hold  on  the 
wifdom  which  is  from  beneath,  and  depart 
from  the  leadings  of  truth,  and  example  out 
children  herein,  we  have  great  caufe  to  ap- 
prehend, that  wealth  may  be  a  fnare  to 
them;  and  prove  an  injury  toothers,  over 
whom  their  wealth  may  give  them  power ^ 

To  be  redeemed  from  that  wifdom  which 
is  from  beneath,  and  walk  in  the  light  of  the 
Lord,  is  a  precious  fituation  ;  thus  his  people 
are  brought  to  put  their  trufh  in  him  ;  and  in 
this  humble  confidence  in  his  wifdom,  good- 
nefs  and  power,  the  righteous  find  a  refuge 
in  adverfities,  fuperior  to  the  greateft  out- 
ward helps,  and  a  comfort  more  certain  than 
any  worldly  advantages  can  afford. 


On  labour. 

HAVING  from  my  childhood  been  ufed 
to  bodily  labour  for  a  living,  I  may 
exprefs  my  experience  therein. 

Right  exercife  affords  an  innocent  pleafure 
in  the  time  of  it,  and  prepares  us  to  enjoy 
the  fweetnefs  of  reft ;  but  from  the  extremes 
each  way,  arife  inconveniences. 

Moderate  exercife  opens  the  pores,  gives 
the  blood  a  lively  circulation,  and  the  better 
enables  us  to  judge  rightly  refpedling  that- 
portion  of  labour  v/hich  is  the  true  medium. 

The 


336         On  labour. 

The  fowls  of  the  air  fow  not,  nor  gather 

into  barns,  yet  our  heavenly  Father  feed- 

eth  them/'  Mat.  vi.  26  ;  nor  do  I  believe 
that  infinite  goodnefs  and  power  would  have 
allotted  labour, to  us,  had  he  not  feen  that  la- 
bour was  proper  for  us  in  this  life. 

The  original  defign,  and  true  medium  of 
labour,  is  a  fubjed:,  that,  to  me,  appears 
worthy  of  our  feriovis  confideration. 

Idle  men  are  often  a  burden  to  themfelves^ 
negledl  the  duty  they  owe  to  their  families^ 
and  become  burdenfome  to  others  alfo. 

As  outward  labour^  directed  by  the  wif- 
dom  from  above,  tends  to  our  health,  and 
adds  to  our  happinefs  in  this  life  j  fo,  on  the 
contrary,  entering  upon  it  in  a  felfifh  fi^irit,^ 
and  purfuing  it  too  long,  or  too  hard,  hath 
a  contrary  effedl. 

I  have  obferved,  thsLt  too  much  labour  not 
only  makes  the  underflanding  dull,  but  fo 
intrudes  upon  the  harmony  of  the  body,  that 
after  ceafing  from  our  toil,  w^e  have  another 
to  pafs  through,  before  we  can  be  fo  com- 
pofed  as  to  enjoy  the  fweetnefs  of  reft. 

From  too  much  labour  in  the  heat,  fre-^ 
quently  proceeds  immoderate  fweats,  which 
do  often,  I  believe,  open  the  way  for  difor-* 
ders,  and  impair  our  conftitutions. 

When  we  go  beyond  the  true  medium^ 
and  feel  wearinei1>  approaching,  but  think 
bufinefs  may  fuffer  if  we  ceafe,  at  fuch  a 
time  fpirituous  liquors  are  frequently  taken, 
tvith  a  view  to  fupport  nature  under  thefc 
fatigues,  I  have 


On    labour,  33f 

I  have  found  that  too  much  labour  in  the 
fumitiet  heats  the  blood,  that  taking  ftrong 
drink  to  fupport  the  body  under  fuch  labour^ 
increafeth  that  heat,  and  though  a  perfou 
inay  be  fo  far  temperate  as  not  to  manifefl  the 
leafl  diforder,  yet  the  mind,  in  fuch  a  cir- 
cumfhance,  doth  not  retain  that  calmnefs  and 
ferenify,  which  we  fhould  endeavour  to  liv(^ 
in. 

Thus  toiling  in  the  heat,  and  drinking 
ftrong  liquor,  makes  men  more  refolute,  and 
lefs  confiderate,  and  tends  very  much  to  dif- 
qualify  from  fuccefsfully  following  him  who 
is  meek  and  low  of  heart. 

As  laying  out  buiinefs,  more  than  is  con- 
liftent  with  pure  wifdom,  is  an  evil,  fo  this 
evil  frequently  leads  into  more.  Too  much 
bufinefs  leads  to  hurry.  In  the  hurry  and 
toil  too  much  ftrong  drink  is  often  ufedj  and 
hereby  many  proceed  to  noife  and  wanton- 
nefs,  and  feme,  tho'  more  confiderate,  do 
often  fuffer  lofs,  as  to  a  true  compofednefs  of 
mind. 

I  feel  fincere  defires  in  my  heart  that  no 
rent,  nor  intereft,  might  be  laid  fo  high  as 
to  be  a  fnare  to  tenants.  That  nD  defires  of 
gain  may  draw  any  too  far  in  bufinefs.  That 
no  cares  to  fvipport  cuftoms,  which  have  not 
their  foundation  in  pure  wifdom,  may  have 
place  in  our  minds,  but  that  we  may  build 
on  the  fure  fovmdation,  and  feel  our  holy 
fhepherd  to  lead  us,  who  alone  is  able  to  pre- 
fer ve  us,  and  bring  forth  from  every  thing 
which  defiles. 

Z  Havixig 


338 


On  labour. 


Having  feveral  times,  in  my  travels,  had 
opportunity  to  obferve  the  labour  and  man- 
ner of  life  of  great  numbers  of  ilaves,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  that  the  true  medium  is  lament- 
ably negledled  by  many,  who  affign  them 
their  portion  of  labour. 

Without  faying  much  at  this  time,  con- 
cerning buying  and  felling  men  for  term  of 
life,  who  have  as  juft  a  right  to  liberty  as  vfC 
have  ;  nor  about  the  great  miferies,  and  ef- 
fufion  of  blood,  confequent  to  promoting  the 
llave^trade  ;  and  to  fpeak  as  favourably  as 
may  be,  with  regard  to  continuing  thofe  in 
bondage  who  are  amongft  us,  we  cannot  fay 
there  is  no  partiality  in  it :  for  whatever  ten- 
dernefs  may  be  manifefted  by  individuals  in 
their  life  time  toward  them,  yet  for  people 
to  be  tranfmitted  from  a  man  to  his  poflerity, 
in  the  helplefs  condition  of  flaves,  appears 
inconliftent  with  'the  nature  of  the  gofpel  fpi- 
rit.  From  fuch  proceedings  it  often  follows, 
that  perfons  in  the  decline  of  life,  are  de- 
prived of  monies  equitably  due  to  them,  and 
committed  to  the  care,  and  fubjecfted  to  the 
abfolute  power  of  young  unexperienced  men, 
who  know  but  little  about  the  weaknefs  of 
old  age,  nor  underftand  the  language  of  de- 
clining life. 

Where  parents  give  their  efiates  to  their 
children,  and  then  depend  on  them  for  a 
maintenance,  they  fometimes  meet  wath  great 
inconveniences  ;  but  if  the  power  of  polTef- 
fion,  thus  obtained,  doth  often  reverie  the 
obligations  of  gratitude  and  filial  duty,  and 

make^ 


O  N    L  A  B  O  U  R. 

makes  mauifeft,  that  youth  are  often  igno- 
rant of  the  language  of  old  age,  how  hard  is 
the  cafe  of  antient  Negroes,  who,  deprived 
of  the  wages  equitably  due  to  them,  are  left 
to  young  people,  who  have  been  ufed  to  look 
upon  them  as  their  inferiors. 

For  men  to  behold  the  fruits  of  their  labour 
withheld  from  them,  and  poiTeired  by  others^ 
and  in  old  age  find  themfelves  deftltute  of 
thofe  comfortable  accommodations,  and  that 
tender  regard  which  their  time  of  life  re- 
quires : 

When  they  feel  pains,  and  ftiftnefs  in  their 
joints  and  limbs,  wea.knefs  of  appetite,  and 
that  a  little  labour  is  wearifome,  and  ftill  be- 
hold themfelves  in  the  nei^ledled  uncomfort- 
able  condition  of  a  flave,  and  oftentimes  to 
a  young  unfympathiiing  rnan  : 

For  men  to  be  tliris  treated  from  one  gene- 
ration to  another,  Vvho,  befides  their  ovvn 
diftrefTes,  think  on  the  fiavery  entailed  oa 
their  pofterlty,  and  are  grieved  !  what  dif^ 
agreeable  thoughts  muft  they  have  of  tlip 
profefled  fo Howlers  of  Jeilis  i  and  how  rnuff: 
their  groans  afcend  to  that  ahnighty  beings 
who  ^'  will  be  a  refuge  for  the  opprelTed/' 
Pfdm  IX.  Q. 


[    34°  ] 


On  schools. 

Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto  me^  and 
fo  bid  them  not^  for  of  fuch  is  the  kingdom  of 
God^  Mark.  x.  14. 

f^i  O  encourage  children  to  do  things  with 
^  a  vieViT  to  get  praife  of  men,  to  me  ap- 
pears an  obflrudlion  to  their  being  inwardly 
acquainted  with  the  fpirit  of  truth.  For  it 
is  the  vv^ork  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  diredl  the 
itiind  to  God,  that  in  all  our  proceedings 
We  may  have  a  fingle  eye  to  him.  To  give 
alms  in  fecret,  to  faft  in  fecret,  and  labour 
to  keep  clear  of  that  difpofition  reproved  by 
Our  Saviour,       But  all  their  works  they  do 

,  for  to  be  feen  of  men.'^  Matt,  xxiii.  5. 

That  divine  light  w^hich  enlightens  all  men, 
I  believe,  does  often  Ihine  in  the  minds  of 
children  very  early,  and  to  humbly  wait  for 
wifdom,  that  our  condu6l  toward  them  may 
tend  to  forward  their  acquaintance  with  it^ 
and  ftrengthen  them  in  obedience  thereto, 
appears  to  me  to  be  a  duty  on  all  of  us. 

By  cherilliing  the  fpirit  of  pride,  and  the 
love  of  praife  in  them,  I  believe  they  may 
fome times  improve  f after  in  learning,  than 
other  wife  they  would,-  but  to  take  meafures 
to  forward  children  in  learning,  which  na- 
turally tend  to  divert  their  minds  from  true 
humility,  appears  to  ine  to  favour  of  the  wif- 
dom of  thi;^  world. 


On    school  S.  341 

If  tutors  arc  not  acquainted  with  fandlifi- 
cation  of  fpirit,  nor  experienced  in  an  hum- 
ble waiting  for  the  leadings  of  truth,  but 
follow  the  maxims  of  the  wifdom  of  this 
world,  fuch  children  who  are  under  their  tu- 
ition, appear  to  me  to  be  in  danger  of  im- 
bibing thoughts,  and  apprehenfions,  reverfe 
to  that  meeknefs,  and  lov/linefs  of  heart, 
w^hich  is  necelFary  for  all  the  true  followers 
ot  Chrift. 

Children  at  an  age  fit  for  fchools,  are  in  a 
time  of  life  which  requires  the  patient  atten- 
tion of  pious  people,  and  if  we  commit  them 
to  the  tuition  of  fuch,  w^hofe  minds  we  be- 
lieve are  not  rightly  prepared  to  train  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord,"  we  are  in  danger  of  not  acting  the 
part  of  faithful  parents  toward  them  ;  for 
our  heavenly  father  doth  not  require  us  to 
do  evil,  that  good  may  come  of  it ;  and  it  is 
needful  that  we  deeply  examine  ourfelves, 
left  we  get  entangled  in  the  wifdom  of  this 
world,  and,  through  wrong  apprehenfions^ 
take  fuch  methods  in  education,  as  may 
prove  a  great  injury  to  the  minds  of  our 
children. 

It  is  a  lovely  fight  to  behold  innocent  chil--' 
dren  !  and  when  they  are  fent  to  fuch  fchools 
where  their  tender  minds  are  in  imminent 
danger  of  being  led  aftray  by  tutors,  who  do 
jiot  live  a  felf-^denying  life,  or  by  the  conver- 
fation  of  fuch  children  v/ho  do  not  live  in 
innocence,  it  is  a  cafe  much  Ko  be  lamented* 

WhilQ 


On  schools. 


While  a  pious  tutor  hath  the  charge  of  no 
more  children  than  he  can  take  due  care  of, 
3,nd  keeps  his  authority  in  the  truth,  the 
good  fpirit  in  which  he  leads  and  governs, 
works  on  the  minds  of  fuch  who  are  not  hard- 
ened, and  his  labours  not  only  tend  to  bring 
ihem  forward  in  butward  learning,  but  to 
open  their  underftandings  with  refpedl  to 
the  true  chriflian  life  ;  but  where  a  perfon 
hath  charge  of  too  many,  and  his  thoughts 
and  time  are  fo  mvich  employed  in  the  out- 
ward affairs  of  his  fchool,  that  he  does  not 
fo  weightily  attend  to  the  fpirit  and  conduct 
of  each  individual,  as  to  be  enabled  to  admi- 
nifter  rightly  to  ail  in  due  feafon  ;  through 
fuch  omiffion  he  not  only  fuffers,  as  to  the 
ilate  of  his  own  mind,  but  the  minds  of  the 
children  are  in  danger  of  fuffering  alfo. 

To  watch  the  fpirit  of  children,  to  nurture 
them  in  gofpel  love,  and  labour  to  help  them 
againft  that  which  would  mar  the  beauty  of 
their  minds,  is  a  debt  we  owe  them  ;  and  a 
faithful  performance  of  our  duty,  not  only 
tends  to  their  lafting  benefit,  and  our  own 
peace,  but  alfo  to  render  their  company  a- 
greeable  to  us. 

Inftruftion,  thus  adminiftered,  reaches 
the  pure  witnefs  in  the  minds  of  fuch  chil- 
dren w^ho  are  not  hardened^  and  begets  love 
in  them  toward  thofe  vfho  thus  lead  them  on ; 
but  v^diere  too  great  a  number  are  committed 
to  a  tutor,  and  he,  through  much  cumber, 
omits  a  careful  attention  to  the  minds  of  chil- 

s  dreii^ 


On    schools.  343 

dren,  there  is  danger  of  diforders  gradually 
increafing  amongft  them,  till  the  elFedls  there- 
of appear  in  their  conducl^l,  too  ftrong  to  be 
eafily  remedied. 

A  care  hath  lived  on  my  mind,  that  more 
time  might  be  employed  by  parents  at  home^ 
and  by  tutors  at  fchool,  in  weightily  attend-- 
ing  to  the  fpirit  and  inclinations  of  children^ 
and  that  we  may  fu  lead,  inftrud:,  and  go- 
vern them,  in  this  tender  part  of  life,  that 
nothing  may  be  omitted  in  our  power,  to 
help  them  on  their  way  to  become  the  chil- 
dren of  our  father,  who  is  in  heaven. 

Meditating  on  the  fituation  of  fchools  in 
our  provinces,  my  mind  hath,  at  times,  been 
afFecT:ed  with  forrow,  and  under  thefe  exer- 
cifes  it  hath  appeared  to  me,  that  if  thofe 
who  have  laree  efhates,  were  faithful  ftew- 
ads,  and  laid  no  rent,  nor  intereft,  nor  och^r 
demand,  higher  than  is  confiflent  with  uni- 
verfal  love  ;  and  thofe  in  lower  circumftan- 
ces  would,  under  a  moderate  employ,  fhun 
imneceflary  expence,  even  to  the  fmalleft  ar- 
ticle ;  and  all  unite  in  humbly  leeking  to  the 
Lord,  he  woukl  gracioufly  inftWidl  us,  and 
ftrengthen  us,  to  relieve  the  youth  from 
various  fiiares,  in  which  many  of  them  arc 
entangled  ♦ 


On 


[    344  ] 


On  the  RIGHT  Use  of  the  LORD's 
QUTWARD  Gifts. 

AS  our  imderftandiiigs  are  opened  by  the 
pure  light,  we  experience  that,  through 
an  inward  approacliing  to  God,  the  mind  is 
ftrengthened  in  obedience  ;  and  that  by  gra- 
tifying thofe  defires  which  are  not  of  his  be- 
getting, tliofe  approaches  to  him  are  obilru6l- 
c?d,  and  the  deceivable  fpirit  gains  ftrength. 

Thefe  truths,  being  as  it  were  engraven 
upon  our  hearts,  and  our  everlafting  intereii 
\n  Chrift  evidently  concerned  herein,  we  be- 
come fervently  engaged,  thp.t  nothing  may 
be  nouriflied  Vvdiich  tends  to  feed  pride  or 
lelf-love  in  vis.  Thus  in  pure  obedience^  we 
are  not  only  inftru6led  in  our  duty  to  Qocl^ 
but  aifo  in  the  afikirs  wdiich  neceilarily  ref- 
late to  this  life,  and  the  fpirit  of  truth  which 
guides  into  all  truth,  leavens  the  mind  with 
a  pious  concern,  that  '^  v/hatfoever  we  do  in. 

word  or  dee4,  ™^.^J  he  done  in  his  name,'^ 
Col.  ili,  ly.  '   ■  ^ 

Hence  fuch  buildings,  furniture,  food,  and 
raiment,  as  heft  anfwer  our  necelilties,  and 
are  the  leaft  likely  to  feed  that  ielfifh  fpirit 
which  is  our  enemy,  are  tlie  moft  acceptable, 
to  us. 

In  this  ftate  the  mind  is  tender,  and  in- 
wardly watchful,  that  the  love  of  gain  draw 
us  not  into  any  bufinefs,  which  may  weaken 
our  love  to  our  heavenly  father,  or  bring  un- 
necelfary  trouble  to  any  of  his  creatures; 

.  Thus 


On  the  right  USE,  e^r,  341 

Thus  the  way  gradually  opens  to  ceafe 
from  that  fpirit  which  craves  riches  and  things, 
fetched  far,  which  fo  mixeth  with  the  cuf^ 
toms  of  this  world,  and  io  intrudes  upon 
the  true  harmony  of  life,  that  the  right  me- 
dium of  labour  is  very  niuch  departed  from. 
And  as  the  minds  of  people  are  fettled  in  a 
fteady  concern,  not  to  hold  nor  poiiefs  any 
thing  but  what  may  be  held  coniiftent  with 
the  wifdoni  from  above,  they  confider  what 
they  poiTefs  as  the  gift  of  God,  and  are  in- 
Yv^ardly  exercifed,  that  in  all  parts  of  their 
conduct  they  may  a6l  agreeable  to  the  nature 
of  the  peaceable  government  of  Chrift, 

A  little  fupports  fuch  a  life  j  and  in  a  fhate 
truly  refigned  to  the  Lord,  the  eye  is  fingle, 
to  fee  what  outward  employ  he  leads  into, 
as  a  means  of  our  fubiiftence,  and  a  lively 
care  is  maintained  to  hold  to  that  without 
launching  further. 

There  is  a  harmony  in  the  feveral  parts  of 
this  divine  v^^ork  in  the  hearts  of  people  ; 
he  who  leads  them  to  ceafe  from  thofe  gain-^ 
ful  employments,  carried  on  in  that  wifdom 
which  is  from  benccath,  delivers  alfb  from  the 
deiire  after  worldly  greatnefs,  and  reconciles 
the  mind  to  a  life  fo  plain,  that  a  little  doth 
fuffice. 

Here  the  real  comforts  of  life  are  not  lef- 
fened.  Moderate  exercife,  in  the  way  of  true 
wifdom,  is  pleafant  both  to  mind  and  l3ody„ 

Food  and  raiment  fufScient,  thoup'h  in  tha 
greateft  fimplicity,  is  accepted  vvitli  content 
4nd  gratitude. 

The 


346    On  THE  RIGHT  USE  op  the 

The  mutual  love,  fubfifting  between  the 
faithful  followers  of  Chrift,  is  more  pure  than 
that  friendlhip  which  is  not  feafgned  with 
humility,  how  fpecious  foever  the  appear- 
ance. 

Where  people  depart  from  pure  wifdom  in 
one  cafe,  it  is  often  an  introducflion  to  depart 
from  it  in  many  more  ;  and  thus  a  fpirit 
which  feeks  for  outward  greatnefs,  and  leads 
into  w^orldly  wifdom  to  attain  it,  and  fupport 
it,  gets  poifelfion  of  the  mind. 

In  beholding  the  cuftomary  departure  from 
the  true  medium  of  labour,  and  that  unne- 
ceffary  toil  which  many  go  through,  in  fup- 
porting  outward  greatnefs,  and  procuring 
delicacies  : 

In  beholding  how  the  true  calmnefs  of  life 
is  changed  into  hurry,  and  that  many,  by 
eagerly  purfuing  outward  treafure,  are  in 
great  danger  of  withering  as  to  the  inward 
Itate  of  the  mine! : 

In  meditating  on  the  works  of  this  fpirit^, 
and  on  the  defolations  it  m?.kes  amongft  the 
profeffors  of  chriftianity,  I  may  thankfully 
acknowledge,  that  I  often  feel  pure  love  be- 
get longings  in  my  heart,  for  the  exaltation 
of  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  Chrift,  and  an 
engagement  to  labour  according  to  the  gift 
bellowed  on  me,  for  the  promoting  an  hum- 
ble, plain,  temperate  way  of  living  :  a  life 
where  no  unnecefiary  cares,  nor  expences, 
may  encumber  our  minds,  nor  ieffen  our  a-^ 
bility  to  do  good  ;  where  no  defires  after 
riches,  or  greatnefs,  may  lead  into  hard  deal- 
ing ^  . 


lord's  outward  gifts.  347 


ing  ;  where  no  comieclions  witli  wordly 
minded  men,  may  abate  our  love  to  God^ 
nor  weaken  a  true  zeal  for  rigliteoufnefs  :  a 
life,  wherein  w^e  may  diligently  labour  for 
refignednefs  to  do,  aild  fuffer,  whatever  ovir 
heavenly  father  may  allot  for  us,  in  recon- 
ciling the  world  to  himfelf. 

When  the  prophet  Ifaiah  had  uttered  his 
vliion,  and  declared  that  a  time  was  coming 
wherein      fvvords  fliouid  be  beat  into  plow- 

lliares,  and  fpears  into  pruning  hooks,  and 

that  nation  lliould  not  lift  up  fword  againfl 
^'  nation,  nor  learn  war  any  more he  im- 
mediately directs  the  minds  of  people  to  the 
divine  teacher,  in  this  remarkable  language, 

O  houfe  of  Jacob,  come  ye  and  let  us  v/alk 

in  the  light  of  the  Lord,''  Ifaiah  ii.  5. 

To  wait  for  the  dirediion  of  this  light,  in 
all  temporal  as  well  as  fpiritual  concerns,  ap- 
pears nccefTary  ;  for  if  in  any  cafe  we  enter 
lightly  into  temporal  affairs,  without  feeling 
this  fpirit  of  truth  to  open  our  way  therein, 
and  through  the  love  of  this  world  proceed 
on,  and  feek  for  gain  by  that  bufinefs  or 
traffic,  which      is  not  of  the  father,  but  of 

the  w^orld,''  i  John  ii.  16,  vv^e  fail  in  our 
teftimony  to  the  purity  and  peace  of  his  go- 
vernment ;  and  get  into  that  which  is  for 
chaftifement. 

This  matter  hath  lain  heavy  on  my  mind, 
it  being  evident,  that  a  life  lefs  humble,  lefs 
limple  and  plain,   than  that  which  Chrifl' 
leads  his  flieep  into,  does  neceiiiirily  require 

fupport,  which  pure  wifdom  does  not  pro- 
vide 


34.8    On  the  RIGHT  USE  of  the 


vide  for  ;  hence  there  is  no  probability  of  our 
being      a  pecuhar  people,  fo  zealous  of  good 

works,  as  to  have  no  fellowlhip  with  works 
'^^  of  darknefs,"  Titus  ii.  14.  Ephef.  v.  11, 
while  we  have  wants  to  fupply  which  have 
their  foundation  in  cuftom,  and  do  not  come 
within  the  meaning  of  thofe  expreffions, 
^'  your  heavenly  father  knoweth  that  ye  have 

need  of  all  thefe  things/'  Matt.  vi.  32. 

Thefe  things  which  he  beholds  necefTary 
for  his  people,  he  fails  not  to  give  them  in 
his  ovf n  vvTay,  and  time ;  but  as  his  ways  are 
above  our  ways,  and  his  thoughts  above  our 
thoughts,  fo  imaginary  wants  are  different 
^'  from  thefe  things  which  he  knov/eth  that 

we  have  need  of/' 

As  my  meditations  have  been  on  thefb 
things,  companion  hath  filled  my  heart  to- 
ward my  fellovvT  creatures,  involved  in  cuf^ 
toms,  grown  up  in  the  wifdom  of  this 
^'  world,  which  is  fooliflmefs  with  God,'' 
I  Cor,  iii,  1 9  ;  and  O  that  the  youth  may  be 
fo  thoroughly  experienced  in  an  humble 
walking  before  the  Lord^  that  they  may  be 
his  children,  and  knovv^  him  to  be  their  re- 
fuge, their  fafe  unfailing  refuge  !  through 
the  various  dangers  attending  this  uncertain 
ftate  of  being. 

If  thofe  whofe  minds  are  redeemed  from 
the  love  of  wealth,  and  who  are  content  vv^ith 
a  plain,  fimple  way  of  living,  do  yet  find  that 
to  conduct  the  affairs  of  a  family,  without 
giying  countenance  tQ  unrighteous  proceed- 


LORD'S  OUTWARD  GIFTS.  349 


ings,  or  having  fellowfliip  with  works  of 
darknefs,  the  mofh  dihgent  care  is  neceffary: 

If  cuftoms,  diflinguilhable  from  univerlal 
righteoufnefs,  and  oppofite  to  the  true  felf- 
denying  Hfe,  are  now  prevalent,  and  fo  mix- 
ed with  trade,  and  with  almoft  every  em- 
ploy, that  it  is  only  through  humble  waiting 
on  the  imvard  guidance  of  truth,  that  we 
may  reafbnably  hope  to  walk  fafely,  and  fup- 
port  an  uniform  teflimony  to  the  peaceable 
government  of  Chrift  : 

If  this  be  the  cafe,  how  lamentably  do  thef 
expofe  themfelves  to  temptations,  who  give 
way  to  the  love  of  riches,  conform  to  expen- 
live  living,  and  reach  forth  for  gain,  to  fup- 
port  cuffcoms,  which  our  holy  fliepherd  leads 
iiot  into. 


C  O  Na 


CONSIDERATIONS 


ON  THE 

TRUE  HARMONY 
o*  F 

M     A     N     K     I     N  Dj 


AND   HOW  IT  IS   TO   BE  MAINTAINED^ 

Firft  printed  in  the  year  1770. 


M I  c  A  H  V,  74 

And  the  remnant  of  Jacob  Jloall  he  in  thd 
midfi  of  many  people^  as  a  de^w  from  the  Lordj 
as  the  fhoivers  upon  the  grqfs^  that  tarr  'ieth 
not  for  man^  nor  ivaiteth  for  the  fons  of  men. 


INTRODUCTION. 

S  mankind  from  one  parent  are  divided  int$ 
many  fa^niUes^  and  as  trading  to  fea  is^ 
greatly  increafed  within  afezu  ages  paft ;  amtdil 

this 


INTRODUCTION.  351 

this  extended  commerce^  honjo  necejfary  is  it  that 
the  profejfed  foUouuers  of  Chrijl  keep  facred  his 
holy  nanie^  and  he  employed  about  trade  and 
traffic  no  farther  than  jiifiice  and  equity  eui^ 
dently  accompanies  ?  that  ive  may  give  no  jujl 
caufe  of  offence  to  any^  hoivever  dijlant^  or  tm-^ 
able  to  plead  their  oivn  caife  ;  and  may  continue 
ally  keep  in  njieiv^  the  fpreading  of  the  true  and 
fauing  knouoledge  of  God^  and  his  fon  Jefus 
Chriji^  among f  our  fellonv  creatures^  nvhich 
through  his  infnite  love^  fome  feel  to  he  more 
precious  than  any  other  treafnre. 


t  352  ] 


■      I   WIN   .I..I.IL.I  «   I  III— ^«»»»»>»ri» 

CONSIDERATIONS 

O  N  ^  T  H  E 

TRUE  HARMONY 

O  F 

MANKIND; 

AND   HOW  IT   IS   TO   BE  MAINTAINED. 


C     H     A     P.  I; 

On  /^Wing  the  Lord  in  our  outward  employ- 
ments. 

UNDER  the  humbling  difpenfations 
of  the  Father  of  mercies,  I  have  felt 
an  inward  labour  for  the  good  of  my 
fellow  creatures,  and  a  concern  that  the  holy 
fpirit,  which  alone  can  reftore  mankind  to  a 
ftate  of  true  harmony,  may  with  finglenefs 
of  heart  be  waited  for  and  followed. 

I  truft  there  are  many  under  that  vifitation^ 
which,  if  faithfully  attended  to,  will  make 
them  quick  of  underftanding  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord,  and  qualify  with  firmnefs  to  be 
true  patterns  of  the  chriftian  life,  VNrho  ill 
living  and  walking  may  hold  forth  an  invi- 
tation to  others,  to  come  out  of  the  entangle- 
ments of  the  fpirit  of  this  world.  And 


On  serving  the  LORD,  (j^r.  353 

And  that  wliicii  I  feel  fir  ft  to  eXprefs  is,  a 
care  for  thofe  who  are  in  circumftances, 
which  appear  difficuh,  with  refpecS  to  fup- 
porting  their  famiUe^  in  a  way  anfwerable  to 
pure  wifdom,  that  they  may  not  be  difcou- 
raged,  but  reiilcmber  that  in  humbly  obey- 
ing the  leading  of  Ghfift,  he  owneth  us  'as 
his  friends,       Ye  are  my  friends  if  ye  do 

w^hatfoever  I  command  ydu  and  to  be  a 
friend  to  Ghrift,  is  to  be  united  to  him,  v/ho 
hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  ;  and 
tho'  a  woman  may  forget  her  facking  child, 
ydt  will  he  not  forget  his  faithful  ones. 

The  condition  of  many  who  dvf  ell  in  cities 
hath  often  afFedted  me  with  a  brotherly  fym-* 
ipathy,  attended  with  a  deiire  that  refignati-* 
on  may  be  laboured  for  ;  and  where  the  ho^ 
ly  leader  directeth  to  a  country  life  or  fome 
change  of  employ,  he  may  be  faithfully  fol- 
lowed ;  for  under  the  refining  hand  of  the 
Lord  I  have  feen,  that  the  inhabitants  of  fome 
titles  are  greatly  incrcafed  through  fome 
branches  of  bufinefs  which  his  holy  fpirit 
doth  not  lead  into,  and  that  being  entangled 
in  thefe  things,  tends  to  bring  a  cldiid  over 
the  minds  of  people  convinced  of  the  lead- 
ings of  this  holy  leader,  and  obftrudls  the 
coming  of  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  on  earth  as 
it  is  in  heaven. 

Now  if  we  indulge  a  deflre  to  imitate  our 
neighbours  in  thofe  things  which  harmonife 
not  with  the  true  chriftian  walking,  thefe 
entanglements  may  hold  faft  to  us,  and  fome, 

A  a  who 


;554         sERviN^G  f^^^^^LORD  IN  oi;^ 

who  in  an  awakening  time,  feel  tender  fcru-^ 
pies,  with  refpedl  to  their  manner  of  life-^ 
may  look  on  the  example  of  others  more  no- 
ted in  the  church,  who  yet  may  not  be  re- 
fined from  every  degree  of  drofs  ;  and  by 
looking  on  thefe  examples,  and  defiring  to 
lijpport  their  families  in  a  way  pleafant  to 
the  natmal  mind,  there  may  be  danger  of 
the  worldly  wifdom  gaining  ftrength  in  them^ 
and  of  their  departm^e  from  that  pure  feeling 
of  truth,  which  if  faithfully  attended  to, 
would  teach  contentment  in  the  divine  will ^ 
even  in  a  very  low  eftate* 

One  formerly  fpeaking  on  the  profitable- 
nefs  of  true  humility,  faith,  He  that 
troubles  not  himfelf  with  anxious  thoughts 
for  more  than  is  neceffary,  lives  little  lefs 
than  the  life  of  angels,  whilft  by  a  mind 
content  with  little,  he  imitates  their  want 
of  nothing."  Cave's  primitive  chriftianity, 
page  31. 

.  It  is  not  enough,  fays  Tertullian^  that  a 
chriftian  be  chafte  and  modeft,  but  he  muft 
appear  to  be  fo  :  a  virtue  of  which  he  fhould 
have.fo  great  a  ftore,  that  it  fliould  flow  from 
his  mind  upon  his  habit^  and  break  from  the 
retirements  of  his  confcience,  into  the  fuper- 
ficies  of  his  life."    Same  book,  page  43. 

The  garments  we  wear,  fays  Clemens^ 
ought  to  be  mean  and  frugal-^that  is  true 
limplicity  of  habit,  which  takes  away  what 
is  v?an  and  fiiperfluotts  ;  that  the  beft  and 
moll:  folid  garment,  which  is  the  fartheft 
from  curioiity,"    Page  49^  Though 


Outward  EMPLOYMENTS.  35^ 

Though  the  change  from  day  to  night,  is 
by  a  motion  fb  gradual  as  fcarcely  to  be  per- 
fceivedj  yet  when  night  is  cdme  we  behold  it 
very  different  from  the  day  ;  and  thus  as 
people  become  wife  ill  their  own  eyes,  and 
prudent  in  their  own  fight,  cuftoras  rife  up 
from  the  fpirit  of  this  world,  and  fpread  by 
little  aild  little,  till  a  departure  from  the 
fimplicity  that  there  is  in  Chriil:,  becomes  as 
diftinguifhable  as  light  from  darknefs,  to 
fuch  who  are  crucified  to  the  world. 

Our  holy  ftiephefd,  to  encourage  his  Seek 
in  firmnefs  and  perfeverance;  reminds  theiii 
of  his  love  for  them,      As  the  father  hath 

loved  me,  fo  have  I  loved  you ;  continue  ye 

in  my  Idve  V  and  in  another  place  graci- 
oufly  points  out  the  danger  of  departing  there- 
from, by  going  into  unfliitable  employments  ; 
this  he  reprefents  in  the  fimilitude  of  offence 
from  that  ufeful  adive  member,  the  hand  ; 
and  to  fix  the  inftrudlion  the  deeper^  names 
the  right  hand,      If  thy  right  hand  offend 

thee  cut  it  off  and  call  it  from  thee''— If 
thou  feelefl  offence  in  thy  employment,  huni- 
bly  follow  him  who  leads  into  all  truth,  and 
is  a  ftfong  and  faithful  friend  to  thofe  who 
are  refigned  to  him. 

Again,  he  points  out  thofe  things  which 
appearing  pleafant  to  the  natural  mind,  are 
iiot  beft  for  us,  in  the  fimilitude  of  offence 
from  the  eye,  'V  If  t^T  right  eye  offend  thee 

plttck  it  out,  ^nd  caft  it  from  thee.''  To 
|)luck  out  the'  eye,  or  cut  off  the  hand,  is  at- 
tended with  iharp  pain  ;  and  how  precious  is 

A  a  2  the 


On  gjeRrrNG-THE  LORD  in  our 


the  inflrudlian  which  our  red-eemer  thus  opdns 
to  us,  that  we  may  not  faint  under  the  moik 
painful  trials,  but  put  our  truft  in  him,  eveit 
in  him  who  fent  an  angel  to  feed  EHjah  in  the 
wildernefs  ;  who  fed  a  mtlltitude  with  a  few 
barley  loaves,  and  is  now  as  attentive  to  the 
wants  of  his  people  as  ever. 

The  prophet  Ifaiah,  reprefents  the  unrigh- 
teous doings  of  the  Ifraelites  toward  the 
poor,  as  the  fruits  of  an  cfFeminate  life,  As 
for  my  people,  children  are  their  oppref- 
fbi^i  and  women  rule  over  them;  what 
mean  ye  that  ye  beat  my  people  to  pieces,^ 
and  grind  the  faces  of  the  poor,  faith  the 
"  Lord  God/'  Then  he  mentions  the  haugh- 
tinefs  of  the  daughters  of  Sion,  and  enume- 
rates many  ornaments,  as  inftances  of  their 
vanity,  to  uphold  which,  the  poor  were  fo^ 
hardly  dealt  with,  that  he  fets  forth  their  po- 
verty, their  leannefs  and  inability  to  help 
ihemfelves,  in  the  fimilitude  of  a  man  maim- 
ed by  violence  or     beaten  to  pieces,"  and 
forced  to  endure  the  painful  operation  of 
having  his  face  gradually  worn  away  in  the 
manner  of  grinding. 

And  I  may  here  add,  that  at  times,  Vfhea 
I  have  felt  true  love  open  my  heart  towards- 
my  fellow  creatures,  ^nd  been  engaged  in 
weighty  converfation  in  the  caufe  of  righte^^ 
oufnefs,  the  inftrvi6Hons  I  have  received  un-- 
^er  thefe  exercifcs,  in  regard  to  the  true  ufe 
of  the.  outward  gifts  of  Godj  have  made  deep 
and  laliiftg  impreffioaiS  @q  py  Jixiw^ 


OtJTWARD  EMPLOYMENTS.  357 


^1  have  here  beheld,  how  the  defire  to  pro*^ 
vide  wealth,  and  to  uphold  a  delicate  life 
hath  grievoufly  entangled  many,  and  beeii 
like  fnares  to  their  offspring  ;  and  though 
fome  have  been  affecSled  with  a  fenfe  of  their 
difficulties,  and  appeared  defirous,  at  times, 
to  be  helped  out  of  tliem  ;  yet  for  want  of 
abiding  under  the  humbling  power  of  truth, 
£hey  have  continued  in  thefe  entanglements  j 
for  in  remaining  conformable  to  this  world^ 
and  giving  way  to  a  delicate  life,  this  ex- 
penfive  way  of  living,  in  parents  and  ia 
children,  hath  called  for  a  large  fupply,  and 
in  anfwering  this  call  ^\  the  faces  9f  the  poor ' 
have  been  ground  away,  and  made  thiii  thm 
hard  dealing. 

There  is  balm,  there  is  a  phyfician  !  and 
O  what  longings  do  I  feel !  that  we  may  em- 
brace the  means  appointed  for  our  healing, 
know  that  rernoved  which  now  minifters 
caufe  for  the  cries  of  rnany  people  to  afcend 
to  heaven  againfh  their  oppreffors,  and  that 
we  may  fee  the  true  harmony  reftored, 

Behold  '  ■  how  good  and  how  pleafant  it  is^ 
^'  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity*'' 
The  nature  of  this  unity  is  thus  opened  by 
the  apoftle,      If  we  walk  in  the  Ught,  as 
r^'  Chrift  is  in  the  light,  we  fliaU  have  fei-^ 

lowfhip  one  with  another,  and  the  blood 

of  Ghrift  will  cleanfe  us  from  all  fin/' 
;    The  land  may  be  polluted  with  innocent 
bldod,  which  like  the  blood  of  Abel  may  cry 
tp  the  Almighty  ;  but  thofe  who 'V  walk  in 
1^  tJi?  light  as  Chrift  i§  ift  the  %ht,"  they 

know 


358    On  serving  the  LORD  in  ouh 
know  the     lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away 

Walking  is  a  phrafe  frequently  ii fed  ki  fcrip- 
ture,  to  reprefent  our  journey  through  life^ 
and  appears  to  comprehend  the  various  affairs 
and  tranfadlions  properly  relating  to  our  be- 
incr  in  this  world.         "  r  ^ 

Chrift  being  the  light,  dwells  always  in  the 
light,  and  if  pur  walking  be  thus,  and  in 
every  affair  and  concern  we  faithfully  follow 
this  divine  leader  ;  he  preferves  from  giving 
juft  caufe  for  any  to  quarrel  with  us  ;  and 
where  this  foundation  is  laid  and  mutually 
J:ept  to,  by  families  cpnverfant  with  each  o- 
ther,  the  way  is  open  for  thefe  comforts  in 
fociety,  which  our  heavenly  father  intends 
^s  a  part  of  our  happinefs  in  this  world  ;  and 
then  we  may  experien  goodnefs,  and 

pleafantnefs  of  dwelling  together  in  unity; 
but  where  ways  of  living  take  place,  which 
tend  to  opprefTion^  and  in  the  ^purfuit  of 
w^ealth,  people  do  that  to  others  which  they 
know  would  not  be  acceptable  to  themfelves, 
cither  ill  exerciiing  an  abfqlute  power  over 
them,  or  otherwife  laying  on  them  unequit- 
able burdens  ;  here  a  fear  left  that  meafure 
Ihoukl  be  mceted  to  them,  whigh  they  have; 
meafured  to  others,  incites  a  care  to  fupport 
that  by  craft  and  cunning  devices  which 
flands  not  on  the  firm  foundation  of  righte- 
oufnefs  :  thus  the  harmony  of  fociety  is 
broken,  and  from  hence  commotions  and 
wars  do  frequently  arife  in  the  world. 

:  .  *  Comg 


Outward   EMPLOYMENTS,  359 

■i  V**  Come  out  of  Babylon  my  people,  that 

ye  be  not  partakers  of  her  fins^  and  that  ye 

receive  not  of  her  plagues/'  Rev.  xv,  3,4. 
This  Babel,  or  Babylon,  was  built  in  the 
fpirit  of  felf-exaltation :  Let  us  build  us  a 
"  city  and  a  tower,  whofe  top  may  reach  to 

heaven,  and  let  us  make  us  a  name."  Gen. 
Xi.  4.  In  departing  from  an  humble  truft  in 
God,  and  following  a  felfifh  fpirit,  people 
have  intentions  to  get  the  uppprhand  of  their 
fellow  creatures,  privately  meditate  on  means 
to  obtain  their  ends,  have  a  language  in  their 
hearts  which  is  hard  to  underftand.  In  Ba- 
bel the  language  is  confounded, 

This  city  is  reprefented  as  a  place  of  bufi- 
nefs  and  thofe  employed  in  it,  as  merchants 
of  the  earth  :      The  merchants  of  the  earth 

are  waxed  rich  through  the  abundance  of 

her  delicacies."    Rev.  xviii.  3. 

And  it  is  remarkable  in  this  call,  that  the 
language  from  the  father  of  mercies  is,  my 
people,  Come  out  of  Babylon  my  people  !" 
Thus  his  tender  raercies  are  toward  us  in  an 
imperfed:  ftate  ;  and  as  we  faithfully  attend 
to  the  call,  the  path  of  righteovifnefs  is  more 
and  more  opened  ;  cravings,  which  have  not 
their  foundation  in  pure  wifdom,  more  and 
more  ceafe  j  ^nd  in  an  inward  purity  of 
heart,  we  experience  a  reftoration  of  that 
which  was  loft  at  Babel,  reprefented  by  the 
infpired  prophet  ir^  the  returning  of  a  pure 
^'  language."    Zeph.  iii.  g. 

Happy  for  them  who  humbly  attend  to 
the  call,     Come  out  of  Babylon  my  people." 

Vqv 


36c    On  serving  TH^  ]^       I  N  O U ^; 

For  though  in  going  forth  we  m^j  meet  with 
trials,  which  for  a  time  racij  be  painful,  yep 
as  we  bow  in  true  humility,  and  continue  in 
it,  an  evidence  is  felt  that  God  only  is  wife  j 
and  that  19  weaning  us  from  all  that  is  felf- 
ifh,  he  prepares  the  way  to  a  quiet  habitation 
where  all  our  defn  es  are  bounded  by  his  wif- 
dom.  And  an  exercife  of  fpirit  attends  me, 
that  we  who  are  convinced  of  the  pure  lead- 
ings of  truth,  "may  bow  in  the  deepeft  reve- 
tence,  and  fo  watchfully  regard  this  leader, 
that  many  who  are  grievoufly  entangled  in  a 
wildernefs  of  vain  cuiloms,  may  look  upon 
us,  and  be  inftru6led.  '  And  O  that  fuch  who 
have  plenty  of  this  world's  goods,  may  be 
faithful  in  that  with  which  they  are  entruft- 
ed  !  and  example  others  in  the  true  chriijian 
walking. 

Our  blelTed  Saviour,  fpeaking  on  worldly 
greatnefs,  compares  himfelf  to  one  waiting 
and  attending  on  a  company  at  dinner : 
^'  Whether  is  greater,  he  that  fitteth  at  meat 

or  he  that  fervetli  ?  Is  not  he  that  fitteth 

at  meat  ?  but  I'am  amongfl  you  as  he  that 

ferveth."    Luke  xxii.  27. 

Thus  in  a  world  greatly  difordered,  where 
men  afpiring  to  outward  greatnefs  were  wont 
to  opprefs  ocLers  to  fapport  their  defigns,  he 
who  was  of  the  highelt  defcent,  being  the 
Son  of  God,  and  greater  than  any  amongfh 
the  greateft  families  of  men,  by  his  example 
and  doctrines  fore'clofcd  his  followers  from 
claiming  any  ihew  of  outward  greatnefs,  from 


0UtWARP 


EMPLOYMENT^. 


uny  fuppofed  fuperiority  in  themfelves,  or 

derived  from  their  anceftors. 

^  He  who  was  greater  than  earthly  princes, 

Was  not  only  meek  and  low  of  heart,  but  his 

outward  appearance  was  plairb  and  lowly, 

and  free  from  every  flain  of  the  fpirit  of  this 

world. 

Such  w^as  the  example  of  our  bleffed  Re- 
deemer, of  whom  the  beloved  difciple  faidj 
He  that  faith  he  abideth  in  him,  ought 
alfo  to  walk  even  as  he  walked/' 
John  Bradford,  who  fuffered  martyrdom^ 
under  queen  Mary,  wrote  a  letter  to  his  ^ 
friends  out  of  prifon,  a  Ihort  time  before  he 
was  burnt,  in  which  are  thefe  expreffions  j 
Coilfider  your  dignity  as  children  of  God 
and  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  mem^ 
bers  of  Chriil,  be  aihamed  therefore  to  think, 
fpeak,  or  do  any  thing  unfeemly,  for  God's 
children  and  the  members  of  Chrift.''  FoxM 
A(5ls  and  Monuments,  page  1 177. 


C    H    A    P,  IL 

On  the  example  of  CHRIST. 

AS  my  mind  hath  been  brought  into  a 
brotherly  feeling  with  the  poor,  as  £0 
the  things  of  this  life,  who  are  under  trials 
in  regard  to  getting  a  living  in  a  way  an-?- 
fwerable  to  the  purity  of  truth  j  a  labour  of 


S62    On  the  example  of  CHRIST. 


heart  hath  attended  me,  that  their  way  may 
not  be  made  difficult  through  the  love  of  mo-r 
ney  in  thofe  who  are  tried  with  plentiful 
eftates,  but  that  they  with  tendernefs  of  heart 
may  fympathize  with  them. 

It  was  the  faying  of  our  blefTed  Redeemer, 
Ye  cannot  ferve  God  and  mammon/' 
There  is  a  deep  feeling  of  the  way  of  purity, 
a  way  in  which  the  wildom  of  the  world  hath 
no  part,  but  is  opened  by  the  fpirit  of  truth, 
and  is  "  called  the  way  of  holinefs a  way 
in  which  the  traveller  is  employed  in  watch- 
ing unto  prayer ;  and  the  outward  gain  wcp 
get  in  this  journey  is  confidered  as  a  trufl 
committed  to  us,  by  h  i  m  who  formed  and 
fupports  the  world  ;  and  is  the  rightful  di- 
rector of  the  ufe  and  application  of  the  pro- 
du(5l  of  it. 

Now  except  the  mind  be  preferved  chafte, 
there  is  no  fafety  for  us  ;  but  in  an  eftrange- 
ment  from  true  refignation,  the  fpirit  of  the 
world  cafts  up  a  way,  in  which  gain  is  many 
times  principally  attended  to,  and  in  which 
there  is  a  felfifh  application  of  outward  trea-^ 
fures. 

How  agreeable  to  the  true  harmony  of  fo- 
ciety,  is  that  exhortation  of  the  apoftle  ? 
Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things, 
but  every  man  aifo  on  the  things  of  others. 
Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which  was  aifo  in 
Chrift  Jefus/' 

A  perfon  in  outward  profperity  may  have 
the  power  of  obtaining  riches,  but  the  fame 
mind  being  in  him  which  is  in  Chrift  Jefus, 


On  the  example  of  CHRIST.  363 


he  may  feel  a  tendernefs  of  heart  towards 
thofe  of  low  degree  ;  and  inftead  of  fetting 
himfelf  above  them,  may  look  upon  it  as  an 
unmerited  favour,  that  his  way  through  life 
is  more  eafy  than  the  way  of  many  others  ; 
may  improve  every  opportunity  of  leading 
forth  out  of  thofe  cuftoms  which  have  en- 
tangled the  family ;  employ  his  time  in  look- 
ing into  the  wants  of  the  poor  members,  and 
hold  forth  fuch  a  perfecl  example  of  humili- 
ation, that  the  pure  witnefs  may  be  reached 
in  many  minds  ;  and  the  way  opened  for  a 
harmonious  walking  together. 

Jefus  Ghrift,  in  promoting  the  happinefs 
of  others,  was  not  deficient  in  looking  for  the 
helplefs,  who  lay  in  obfcurity,  nor  did  he 
fave  any  thing  to  render  himfelf  honourable 
amongft  men,  which  might  have  been  of 
xxiorc  ufe  to  the  weak  members  in  his  Father's 
family ;  of  whofe  compaffion  towards  uis  I 
may  novv  fpeak  a  little.  He  who  was  per- 
fcclly  happy  in  himfelf,  moved  wdth  infinite 
love,  "  ^took  not  upon  him  the  nature  of  an- 

gels,"  but  our  imperfect  natures,  and 
therein  wreftled  with  the  temptations  which 
attend  us  in  this  life  ;  and  being  the  Son  of 
HIM  who  is  greater  than  earthly  princes,  yet 
became  a  companion  to  poor,  fincere  heart- 
ed men  ;  and  though  he  gave  the  cleareft 
evidence  that  divine  power  attended  him,  yet 
the  moft  unfavourable  conftrudlions  were 
framed  by  a  felf  righteous  people  ;  thofe 
miracles  reprefented  as  the  efFedt  of  a  diabo- 
lical power,  and  endeavours  ufed  to  render 


^64   On  THE  EXAMPLE  OF  CHRIST, 

him  hateful^  as  having  his  miffion  from  the 
prince  of  darknefs  ;  nor  did  their  envy  ceafe 
till  they  took  hiiii  like  a  criminal  and  brought 
him  to  trial.  Though  fome  may  afFedl  to 
carry  the  appearance  of  being  unmoved  att 
the  apprehenifion  of  diftrefs,  oiif  dear  Re- 
deemer, who  was  perfedlly  fincere,  having 
the  fame  human  nature  which  we  have,  an4 
feeling,  a  little  before  h,e  vyas  apprehended^ 
the  weight  of  that  work  upon  him,  for  which 
he  came  into  the  world,  was  forrowful 

even  unto  death here  the  human  nature 
ftruggled  to  be  excu fed  from  a  cup  fp  bitter  j 
but  his  prayers  centered  in  refignatipn,  -  Not 

my  will  but  thine  be  done/'  In  this  con- 
flidl,  fo  great  was  his  agony  that  fweat 

like  drops  of  blood  feil  from  him  to  the 

ground." 

Behold  now  as  foretold  by  the  prophet,  he 
is  in  a  judicial  manner     numbered  with  the 

tranfgrefTors.''  Behold  him  as  fome  pdor 
man  of  no  reputation,  {landing  before  the 
high  prieft  and  elders,  and  before  Herod  and 
Pilate,  where  Vv^itnelTes  appear  againft  him^ 
and  he  mindful  of  the  moil  gracious  defign 
of  his  coming,  declineth  to  plead  in  his  own 
defence,  ^'  but  as  a  fheep  that  is  dumb  be-^ 

fore  his  fliearer,'*  fo  underonrvny  accufati^ 
ons,  revilings,  and  bufFetings,  remained  fi- 
lent.  And  tho'  he  fignified  to  Peter  that  he 
had  accefs  to  power  fufncient  to  overthrow  all 
their  outward  forces  ;  yet  retaining  a  refig- 
|iation  to  fuffer  for  the  fins  of  mankind,  he 
everted  not  that  power^  but  permitted  t^ei^ 


>fH£  EXAMPLE  OF  CHUIST.  365 


to^  go  on  in  their  malicious  defigns,  and  pro- 
nounce hiin  to  be  worthy  of  death,  even  hira 
who  was  perfed:  in  goodnefs  ;  thus  in  his 
^'  humiliation  his  judgment  was  taken  a- 

way/'  and  he,   like  fome  vile  criminal, 

led  as  a  lamb  to  the' flaughter."  Under 
thefe  heavy  trials  (though  poor  unliable  Pilate 
was  convinced  of  his  innocence,  yet)  the  peo- 
ple generally  looked  upon  him  as  a  deceiver, 
a  blafphemer,  and  the  approaching  punifh- 
ment  as  a  juft  judgment  upon  him,  They 

eileemed  him  fmitten  of  God  and  afflicl- 

ed."  So  great  had  been  the  farprize  of 
his  difciples,  at  his  being  taken  by  armed 
men,  that  they  ^'  forfook  him  and  iled 
thus  they  hid  their  faces  from  him,  he  was 
defpifed,  and  by  their  conducft  it  appeared  as 
though      they  efteemed  him  not." 

Biit  contrary  to  that  opinion,  of  his  being 
fmitten  of  God  and  afflided,  it  was  for  our 
fakes  that     he  was  put  to  grief ;  he  was 

wounded  for  our  tranfgreffions  ;  he  was 
^  bruifed  for  our  iniquities  and  under  the 
^weight  of  them  manifeiling  the  deepefl  com-^ 
paffion  for  the  inftruments  of  his  mifery, 
laboured  as  their  advocate,  and  in  the  deeps 
of  afflidlion^  with  an  unconquerable  pati- 
ence, cried  ouv     Father  forgive  them,  they 

kaiow  not  whaj:  they  do  ! 

New  this  mind  being  in  us,  which  was 
in  Chrift  Jefus,  it  removes  from  our  hearts 
the  defire  o£  fuperiority ,  worldly  honour  or 
greatness  ;  ^  deep  attention  is  felt  to  the  tii- 
irine  counfellor^  and  an  ardent  engagement 
m .  to 


^66    On  the  EXAMPLjf^'CHRIST. 

to  promote,  as  far  as  we  may  be  enabled,  the 
happinefs  of  mankind  univerfally  ;  this  ftate, 
where  every  motion  from  a  feififh  fpirit 
yieldeth  to  pure  love,  I  may,  with  gratitude 
to  the  father  of  mercies  acknowledge,  is  oft- 
en opened  before  me  as  a  pearl  to  dig  after  ; 
attended  with  a  living  concern,  that  amongft 
the  many  nations  and  families  on  the  earth, 
thofe  who  believe  in  the  Meffiah,  that  ^'  he 
was  manifefted  to  deftroy  the  works  of  the 
Devil,''  and  thus  to  take  away  the  fins 
of  the  world/'  may  experience  the  will  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  may  be  done  on  earth 
as  it  is  in  heaven."  Strong  are  the  defircs 
I  often  feel,  that  this  holy  profeffion  may  re- 
main unpolluted,  and  the  believers  in  Chrift 
may  fo  abide  in  the  pure  inward  feeling  of 
his  fpirit,  that  the  wifdom  from  above  may 
ftiine  forth  in  their  living,  as  a  light  by  which 
others  may  be  inftrumentally  helped  on  their 
way,  in  the  true  harmonious  walking. 


C    H    A    P.  IIL 

Oil  Merchandizing. 

HERE  the  treafures  of  pure  love  arc 
opened,  and  we  obediently  follow 
him  who  is  the  light  of  life,  the  mind  be- 
comes chafte  ;  and  a  care  is  felt,  that  the 
undlion  from  the  holy  one  may  be  our  leader 
in  every  undertaking. 

In 


On  merchandizing.  367 

In  being  crucified  to  the  world,  broken 
ofF  from  that  friendlhip  which  is  enmity  with 
God,  and  dead  to  the  ciiftoms  and  falhions 
which  have  not  their  foundation  in  the  truth ; 
the  way  is  prepared  to  lowHnefs  in  outward 
hving,  and  to  a  difentanglement  from  thofe 
fnares  which  attend  the  love  of  money  •  and 
where  the  faithful  friends  of  Chrift  are  fo  fi- 
tuated  that  merchandize  appears  to  be  their 
duty,  they  feel  a  reftraint  frorfi  proceeding 
farther  than  he  owns  their  proceeding  ;  being 
convinced  that  ^'  we  are  not  our  own  but  are 

bought  with  a  price,  that  none  of  us  may 
^'  live  to  ourfelves,  but  to  him  who  died  for 

us."  2  Corin.  v.  15.  Thus  they  are  taught^ 
not  only  to  keep  to  a  moderate  advance  and 
tiprightnefs  in  their  dealings  ;  but  to  confi- 
der  the  tendency  of  their  proceeding  ;  to  do 
nothing  which  they  know  would  operate  a- 
gainft  the  caufe  of  univerfal  righteoufnefs ; 
and  to  keep  continually  in  viev/  the  fpreading 
of  the  peaceable  kingdom  of  Chrift  amongft 
mankind. 

The  prophet  Ifaiah  fpake  of  the  gathered 
church,  in  the  fimilitude  of  a  city,  where 
many  being  employed  were  all  preferved  in 
purity  ;      They  fhall  call  them  the  holy  peo- 
pie,  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  and  thou 
flialt  be  called  fought  out,  a  city  not  for- 
faken."  ixiii.  10.     And  tlie  apoftle  after 
mentioning  the  myftery  of  Chrift's  fufferings 
exhorts,      Be  ye  holy  in  all  manner  of  con- 
*V  verfation,''   i  Pet.  i.  15.    There  is  a  con- 
verfation  neceflary  in  trade;  and  there  is  a 

converfatioa 


368     On  MEilCHANBIl^md 


converflition  fd  foreign  from  the  nature  of 
Chrift's  Idngdom,  that  it  is  reprefented  in  the 
fimilitiide  of  one  man  pufliing  another  with 
a  v/arhke  weapon;  There  is  that  fpeaketh 
*^  Hke  the  piercings  of  a  fword/'  Prov.  xii.  1 8. 
Now  in  all  our  concerns  it  is  neceffary  that 
the  leading  of  the  fpirit  of  Chrifl  be  humbly- 
waited  for  and  faithfully  followed ,  as  the  on- 
ly means  of  being  preferved  chafte  as  an  holy 
people,  who  in  all  things  are  circumfped:." 
jExod.  xxiii.  13,  that  nothing  we  do  may 
carry  the  appearance  of  approbation  of  the 
works  of  wickednefs,  make  the  unrighteous 
more  at  ea  !e  in  unrighteoufnefs,  or  occafioii 
the  injuries  committed  againft  the  opprefled 
to  be  more  lightly  looked  over. 

Where  morality  is  kept  to,  and  filpported 
by  the  inhabitants  of  a  country,  there  is  a 
certain  reproach  attends  thofe  individuals  a-^ 
mongfl  them,  who  manifeftly  deviate  there-^ 
from.  Thus,  if  a  perfon  of  good  report,  is 
charged  with  ftealing  goods  out  of  an  open 
ftiop  in  the  day  time,  and  on  a  public  trial 
found  guilty,  and  the  law  in  that  cafe  put  in 
execution,  he  therein  fuftains  a  lofs  of  repu-^ 
tation  ;  but  if  he  be  convi6led  a  fecond  and 
third  time  of  the  like  olFence^  his  good  name 
would  ceafe  amongft  fuch  who  knew  thefe 
things.  If  his  neighbour,  reputed  an  honeft 
inan,  being  charged  with  buying  goods  of 
this  thief,  at  a  time  when  the  purchaser  knew 
they  were  ftolen,  and  on  a  public  trial  is 
found  guilty,  tixis  purchaler  would  meet  with 
di&fteem,  but  \£hc  perfilkd  in  buying  ftolen 

goods, 


On  MERCHANDIZINa  36^ 

goods,  knowing  them  to  be  fuch,  and  was 
publicly  convi6led  thereof  a  fecond  and  third 
time,  he  would  no  longer  be  coniidei^ed  as  an 
honed  man  by  them  who  knew  thefe  things  ; 
nor  would  it  appear  of  good  report  to  be 
found  in  his  company,  buying  his  trafBck, 
till  fome  evident  tokens  of  fincefe  repentance 
appeared  in  him.     But  where  iniquity  is 
committed  openly^  and  the  authors  of  it  are 
not  brought  to  juftice^  nor  put  to  fhame, 
their  hands  grow  ftrong.    Thus  the  general 
corruption  of  the  Jews  fhortly  before  theit 
ftate  was  broke  up  by  the  Chaldeans,  is  de- 
fcribed  by  their  boldnefs  in  impiety  ;  for  as 
their  leaders  were  conne6led  together  in  wdck- 
ednefs,  they  flrengthened  one  another ^  and 
grew  confident,      Were  they  afliaiiied  when 
they  had  committed  abominations  ?  nay, 
they  were  not  at  all  aihamed,  neither  could 
^'  they  blufh."  Jer.  vi.  15,  on  which  account 
the  Lord  thus  expoftu^lates  with  them,  ^'  What 
hath  my  beloved  to  do  in  my  houfe,  feeing 
flie  hath  wrought  lewd nefs  with  many? 
and  the  holy  fleih  is  palfed  from  thee,^ 
when  thou  doeft  evilj  then  thou  rejoiceft.'^ 
Jer-  'xi.  15. 

Now  the  faithful  friends  of  Chrift,  who 
hunger  and  thirft  after  righteoufnefs,  and  in- 
wardly breath  that  his  kingdom  may  come 
on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,  he  teaclieth  them 
to  be  quick  of  underftanding  in  his  feai%  and 
to  be  very  attentive  to  the  means  he  may  ap- 
point for  promoting  pure  righteoufnefs  in  the 
earth  J  and  as  fliame  is  due  to  thofe  v/liofe 

B  b  works 


yjo  C}.N.--MERCHANDlZINa 

works  maniferdy  operate  againft  the  gracious 
deiiga  of  his  fufferings  for  us,  a  care  lives  ou 
their  minds  thnt  no  vvrong  cuftoms  however 
fupported,  may  biafs  their  judgments,  but 
that  they  may  humbly  abide  under  the  crofs 
and  be  preferved  in  a  condudl  which  may  not 
contribute  to  ftrengthen  the  hands  of  the 
v/icked  in  their  wickednefs,  or  to  remove 
iliame  from  thofe  to  whom  it  is  juftly  due.. 
The  commg  of  that  day  is  precious  in  which 
we  experience  the  truth  of  this  expreflion* 

The  liOrd  our  righteoufnefs."  Jer.  xiii,  6, 
and  feel  him  to  be     made  unto  us  wifdom 

and  fan(5lification." 

The  example  of  a  righteous  man  is  often 
looked  at  with  attention.  Where  righteous 
men  join  in  bufinefs  their  company  gives  en- 
couragement to  others  ;  and  as  one  grain  of 
incenle  deliberately  offered  to  the  prince  of 
this  world,  renders  an  offering  to  God  in  that 
fiate  unacceptable  ;  and  from  thofe  efteemed 
leaders  of  the  people  may  be  injurious  to  the 
weak  ;  it  requires  deep  humility  of  heart,  to 
follow  him  faithfully,  who  alone  gives  found 
wiidom  and  the  fpirit  of  true  difcerning ;  and 
O  how  neceffary  it  is,  to  confider  the  weight 
of  a  holy  profeffion  ! 

The  condud:  of  fome  formerly,  gave  occa- 
fjon  of  complaint  againft  them,      Thou  haft 

defiled  thy  fandluaries  by  the  multitude  of 
^'  thine  iniquities,    by  the  iniquity  of  thy 

traffick/'  Ezek.  xxviii.  i8,  and  in  feveral 
places  it  is  cliarged  againft  Ifrael  that  they 
had  polhitcd  the  holy  name. 

The 


On  merchandizing.  371 

Thd  prophet  Ifaiah  repfefents  inward  fanc- 
tificaticn  in  the  fimilitude  of  being  purged 
from  that  which  is  fuel  for  fire  ;  and  particTi- 
larly  delcribes  the  outward  fruits,  brought 
forth  by  thofe  who  dwell  in  this  inward  ho- 
iinels,"  '^^  they  walk  righteoufly,  and  fpeak 

up^^  By  walking  he  reprefents  the 

jb\irney  through  life,  as  a  righteous  journey  ; 
and  by  fpeaking  uprightly/'  feems  to  point 
at  that  which  Mofes  appears  to  have  had  ia 
view,  when  he  thus  exprefied  himfelf,  Thou 

flialt  not  follow  a  multitude  to  do  evil, 

not  fpeak  in  a  cafe  to  decline  after  many 

to  wrefl:  judgment,"  Exod.  xxiii.  2. 

He  goes  on  to  fhew  their  firmnefs  in  equity ; 
Yeprefenting  them  as  perfons  fuperior  to  all 
the  arts  of  getting  money,  vv^hich  Lave  not 
righteoufiiefs  for  their  foundation  ;  They 

defpife  the  gain  of  opprefTions  and  fur- 
ther ihews  how  careful  they  are  that  no  pro- 
'  fpedls  of  gain  may  induce  them  to  become 
partial  in  judgment  refpefting  an  injury  ; 

They  lliake  their  hands  from  holding 
^  bribes." 

Again,  where  any  interefl  is  fo  connected 
with  lliedding  blood,  that  the  cry  of  inno- 
cent blood  goes  alfo  with  it ;  he  points  out 
their  care  to  keep  innocent  blood  from  crying 
againfl  them,  in  the  fimilitude  of  a  man  flop- 
ping his  ears  to  prevent  a  found  from  enter- 
ing his  head,      They  Hop  their  ears  from 

hearing  blood  y  and  where  they  know 
that  wickednefs  is^tommitted,  he  points  out 
with  fave^  that  they  do  not  by  an  unguarded 
B  h  2  triendfliip 


372    On  merchandizing. 


friendiliip  with  the  authors  of  it,  appear  like 
unconcerned  lookers  on,  but  as  people  fo 
deeply  affecled  with  forrow,  that  they  cannot 
endure  to  Hand  by  and  behold  it ;  this  he  re- 
prefents  in  the  limilitude  of  a  man  fliutting 
^'  his  eyes  from  feeing  evil/' 

Who  amongfl  us  fhall  dvvtll  with  the  de~ 
vouring  fire  ?  Who  amoilgft  us  fliall  dwell 
with  everlafting  burnings  ?  He  that  walk- 
eth  righteoully  and  fpeaketh  uprightly .  He 
that  defpifeth  the  gain  of  oppreffions,  that 
fliaketh  his  hands  from  holding  of  bribes, 
that  floppetli  his  ears  from  hearing  of  blood, 
and  fliutteth  his  eyes  from  feeing  evih" 
Ifaiah  xxxiii.  14,  15. 

He  proceeds  in  the  fpirit  of  pt^ophecy  to 
Ihew  how  the  faithful  being  fupported  under 
temptations,  would  be  preferved  from  that 
defilement  that  there  is  in  the  love  of  money  ; 
that  as  they  vAio  in  a  reverent  v/aiting  on 
God,  feel  their  flrength  renewed,  are  faid  ta 
mount  upw^ard fo  here  their  prefervation 
from  the  fnare  of  unrighteous  gain,  is  repre- 
fented  in  the  iikenefs  of  a  man,  borne  up 
above  all  crafty,  artful  means  of  getting  the 
advantage  of  another,  They  fliall  dwell  on 
high;  and  points  out  the  ftability  and 
firmnefs  of  their  condition,  His  place  of 
defence  fhall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks  {\ 
and  that  under  all  the  outward  appearances 
of  lofs,  in  denying  himfelf  of  gainful  profits 
for  righteoufnefs  fake,  yet  through  the  care 
of  him  who  provides  for  the  fparrows,  he 
iliould  have  a  f apply  anfwerable  to  his  infi- 


On   merchandizing,  373 

;nit!e  wifdom,      Bread  fliall  be  given  him, 

his  waters  fhall  be  fare,"  And  as  our  Sa- 
viour mentions  the  iight  of  God  to  be  attain- 
able by  the  pure  inheart./^  fo  here  the  pro- 
phet pointed  oiit,  how  in  tpue  fancftification 
the  underilandliig  is  opened,  to  behold  the 
peaceable  h^^rmonious  nature  of  his  kingdom^ 

thine  eyes  fhall  fee  the  king  in  his  beauty 
and  that  looking  beyond  all  the  afflictions 
which  attend  the  righteous,  to      a  habitati- 

on  eternal  in  the  heavens/'  they  with  an 
eye  divinely  open  ^ '  (liall  behold  the  land  that 

is  very  far  off. 

He  lhall  dwell  on  hip:h,  his  place  of  de- 

fence  fliall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks,  bread 

fhall  be  giv^en  him,  his  waters  fhall  be  fure, 
*  ■  Thine  eyes  fhall  fee  the  king  in  his  beauty; 

they  fhall  behold  the  land  that  is  very  far 

off."  Ifaiah  xxxiii.  16,  17. 

I  often  remember,  and  to  me  the  fubjecffc 
is  avv^ful,  that  the  great  Judge  of  all  the  earth 
doeth  that  which  is  right,  and  that  he  be- 

fore  whom  the  nations  are  as  the  drop  of 

a  bucket,"  is  no  refpeCler  of  perfons." 
Happy  for  them,  who  like  the  infpired  pro-^ 
phet,  in  the  way  of  his  judgments  wait 
for  him/'  Ifaiah  xxvi.  8. 

When  we  feel  him  to  fit  as  a  refiner  with 
fire,  and  know  a  refignednefs  wrought  ia  us, 
to  that  which  he  appoints  for  us,  his  bleiling 
in  a  very  low  eflate,  is  found  to  be  more  pre- 
cious than  much  otitward  treaflxre  in  thofe 
vvays  of  life  where  the  leadings  of  his  fpirit 
are  not  followed. 

The" 


374  MERCHANDIZING, 

The  prophet  in  a  fight  of  divine  work 
moiigft  many  people,  declared  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  "  I  will  gather  all  nations  and 
tongues,  and  they  lhall  come  and  fee  my 
glory."  Ifaiah  Ixvi,  i8.  And  again,  "  from 
the  rifing  of  the  fun  to  the  going  down  of 
the  fame,  my  name  fhall  be  great  amongfh 
the  Gentiles,  and  in  every  place  incenfe 
ihall  be  offered  to  my  name,  and  a  pure 
offering/'  Malachi  i.  ii. 
Behold  here  how  the  prophets  had  an .  in- 
ward fenfe  of  the  fpreading  of  the  kingdom 
of  Chrift  ;  and  how  he  was  fpoken  of  as  one 
vvho  fhould  ^'  take  the  heathen  for  his  inhe- 
ritance,  and  the  utmoft  parts  of  the  earth 
"  for  his  poifeffion."  Pfal.  ii.  8.    That  he 
was  given  for  a  light  to  the  Gentiles  ;  and 
for  falvation  to  the  ends  of  the  earth/' 
Ifaiah  xlix.  6. 

When  we  meditate  on  this  divine  work,  as 
a  work  of  ages  ;  a  work  that  the  prophets  felt 
long  before  Chrift  appeared  yifibiy  on  earth, 
and  remember  the  bitter  agonies  he  endured 
when  he  poured  out  his  Ibul  unto  death," 
that  the  heathen  nations,  as  well  as  others, 
might  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth 
and  be  faved. 

When  we  contemplate  on  this  marvellous 
work,  as  that  which  the  angels  defire  to 
look  into,"  I  Pet.  i.  12.  And  behold  peo- 
ple amongft  whom  this  light  hath  eminently 
broken  forth,  and  who  have  received  many 
favours  from  the  bountiful  hand  of  our  hea- 
venly Father  j  not  only  indifferent  with  re- 


On  merchandizing.  375 


fpe6l  to  publifliing  the  glad  tidings  amongft 
the  Gentiles,  as  yet  fitting  in  darknefs  and 
entangled  with  many  fuperftitions  ;  but  a- 
fpiring  after  wealth  and  worldly  honours, 
take  hold  of  means  to  obtain  their  ends, 
tending  to  far  up  wrach  and  indignation, 
and  to  beget  an  abhorrence  in  them  to  the 
name  of  chriftianity.  When  thefe  things  are 
weightily  attended  to,  how  mournful  is  the 
fubjea? 

It  is  worthy  of  remembrance,  that  people 
in  different  ages,  deeply  baptifed  into  the  na- 
ture of  that  work  for  which  Chrift  fuffered, 
have  joyfully  offered  up  their  liberty  and  lives 
for  the  promoting  of  it  in  the  earth. 

Policarp,  who  was  reputed  a  difciple  of  St. 
John,  having  attained  to  great  age,  was  at 
length  fentenced  to  die  for  his  religion,  and 
being  brought  to  the  fire,  prayed  nearly  as 
follows,  "  Thou  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  by  whom  I  have  received 
the  knowledge  of  thee  !  O  God  of  the  angels 
and  powers,  and  of  every  hving  creature, 
and  of  all  forts  of  juft  men  which  live  in  thy 
prefence.  I  thank  thee  !  that  thou  haft  gra- 
cioufly  vouchfafed  this  day  and  this  hour  to 
allot  me  a  portion  among  the  number  of 
martyrs,  among  the  people  of  Chrift^  unto 
the  refurredlion  of  everlafting  life  ;  among 
whom  I  fliall  be  received  in  thy  fight,  this 
day,  as  a  fruitful  and  acceptable  facrifice, 
wherefore  for  all  this,  I  praife  thee,  I  blcfs 
thee,  I  glorify  thee  through  the  everlafting 
high  Prieft,  Jefus  Chrift,  thy  vfell  beloved 


376     On  merchandizing. 


fon  ;  to  whom,  with  thee  and  the  holy  Ghoft^ 
be  all  glory,  world  without  end.  Amen. 

Bifliop  Latimer,  w^hen  fentence  of  death 
by  fire,  was  pronounced  againft  hiixi,  ^on  ac-, 
count  qf  his  firnxnefs  in  the  caufe  of  religion, 
he  faid,  I  thank  God  mod  heartily  !  that 
he  hath  prolonged  my  life  ta  this  end  ;  that 
I  may,  in  this  cafe  glorify  him  by. this  kind 
of  death."  Fox's  A6ls  and  Mon.  936. 

William  Dew^fbery,  who  had  fufiered  much 
for  his  religion,  in  his  laft  ficknefs,  encou- 
raging his  friends  to  faithfulnefs,  made  men- 
tion, like  good"bld  Jacob,  of  the  loving  kind- 
nefs  of  God  to  him  in  the  courfe  of  his  life, 
and  that  through  the  power  of  divine  love^, 
he  for  Chrift'a  fake  had  joyfully  entered  prH 
fons.    See  introduction  to  his  works. 

I  mention  thefe,  as  a  few  examples,  out  of 
many,  of  the  pow^erful  operation  of  the  fpirit 
of  Chrift,  where  people  are  fully  devoted  tq 
it,  and  of  the  ardent  longings  in  their  minds 
for  the  fpreading  of  his  kingdom  amongft 
mankind.  Nov/  to  thofe,  in  the  prefent  age, 
who  truly  know  Chrift,  and  feel  the  nature 
of  his  peaceable  government  opened  in  their 
underftandings,  how  loud  is  that  call  where- 
\vith  we  are  called  to  faithfulnefs  ;  that  in 
following  this  pure  light  of  life,      we  as 

w^orkers  together  with  him,''  may  labour, 
in  that  great  work  for  w^hich  he  was  offered 
as  a  facrifice  on  the  crofs  ;  and  that  his  peace- 
able doctrines  may  fhine  through  us  in  their 
yeai  harmony^  at  a  time  "VYhen  the  name  of 


On  merchandizing.  377 

cliriftianity  is  become  hateful  to  many  of  the 
heathen. 

When  Gehazi  had  obtained  treafures,  which 
the  prophet  under  divine  direction  had  refuf- 
ed,  and  was  returned  from  the  bufinefs^  the 
prophet  troubled  at  his  condudl,  queried  if 
it  was  a  time  thus  to  prepare  for  a  fpecious 
living. 

Is  it  a  time  ta  receive  money  and  gar-r 
•  '  ments,  men  fervants  and  maid  fervants^ 
the  leprofy  therefore  of  Naaman  fhiall  cleave 
to  thee  and  to  thy  feed  foreyer."  2  Kings 
V.  26.  And  O  that  w^e  may  lay  to  heart  the 
condition  of  the  prefent  time  !  and  humbly 
follow  his  counfel,  who  alone  is  able  to  pre-^ 
pare  the  way  for  a  true  harmonious  walking 
^mongft  mankind. 


CHAP.  IV- 

On  diy^lne  Admonitions^ 

SU  G  H  are  the  perfedlions  of  our  heaven- 
ly Father,  that  in  all  the  difpenfations  of 
his  providence,  it  is  our  duty,  in  every 
-  thing,  to  give  thanks.'*  Though  from  the 
firft  fettlenient  of  this  part  of  America,  he 
hath  not  extended  his  judgments  to  the  degree 
of  famuie,  yet  -worms  at  times  have  come 
forth  beyond  numbering,  and  laid  wafte 
lields  of  grain  and  grafs,  w^icre  they  have 
appeared  ;  another  kind,  in  great  multitudes^ 

working 


37^    On  divine  ADMONITIONSi:. 

working  out  of  fight,  in  grafs  gFoxmd,  have 
fo'eat  the  roots  that  the  furface,  being  lool- 
ened  from  the  foil  beneath,  might  Jbe  takj^a^ 
ofFin  great  Ihects.  -n'>  nh>  77 

Thele  kind  of  devoiiring.  cneatnres  appear- 
ing leidom,  and  coming  in  flich  multitudes^  3 
their  generation  appears  diiferent  from  moft 
other  reptiles,  and  by  the  prophet  were  eall- 
ed  God's  armj  fent  amcngil  the  people;' 
Jod  ii.  25.  ,   .  . 

There  have  been  tempefts  of  hail,  which 
have  very  much  deilroyed  the  grain  where 
they  extendved.  Through  long  drought  in 
fummer,  grain  in  fome  places  hath  been  lefs ; 
than  half  the  uRial  ouantitv ;  and  in  the 
continuance  thereof,  I  have  beheld  with  at-^ 
tention,  from  week  to  week,  how  drynefs 
from  the  top  of  the  earth,  hath  extended 
deeper  and  deeper,  while  the  corn  and  plants 
have  languiilied  ;  and  with  reverence  my 
mind  hath  been  turned  toward  him,  who 
being  perfe6l  in  goodnefs,  in  wifdom  and 
power,  doeth  all  things  right.  And  after 
long  drought,  when  the  fl^y  hath  grown  dark 
with  a  colle6lion  of  matter,  and  ciouds  like 
lakes  of  water  hung  over  our  heads,  from 
whence  the  thirfty  land  hath  been  leaked  ;  I 
have  at  times,  with  awfulnefs,  beheld  the  ve- 
hement operation  of  lightning,  made  fome- 
times  to  accompany  thele  bielungs,  as  a  mef- 

fenger 


r  *  When  crops  fall,  I  often  feel  a  tender  care  that  the  cafe 
©f  poor  teuants  may  be  mercifully  coafidercd. 


DIVINE  ADMONITIONS,  379 

lenger  from  him  who  created  all  things,  to 
remind  us  of  our  duty  in  a  right  ufe  of  thofe 
benefits,  and  give  ftriking  admonitions,  that 
we  do  not  mifapply  thofe  gifts,  in  which  an 
Almighty  power  is  exerted,  in  beftowing 
them  upon  us. 

When  I  have  confidered  that  many  of  our 
fellow  creatures  fuffer  much  in  fome  places , 
for  w^ant  of  the  neceifaries  of  life,  whilft  thoie 
who  rule  over  them  are  too  nmch  given  to 
luxury,  and  divers  vanities  ;  and  behold  the 
apparent  deviation  from  pure  v/ifdom  arnongft 
as,  in  the  ufe  of  the  outward  gifts  of  God  ; 
thofe  marks  of  famine  have  appeared  like 
humbling  admonitions  from  him,  that  we 
rpxight  be  inftrucled  by  gent]e  chaftifements, 
and  might  fei'iouily  conlider  our  ways  ;  re~ 
membring  that  the  outward  fupply  of  life  is 
a  gift  from  our  heavenly  Father,  and  that  w^e 
ihould  no  more  venture  to  ufe,  or  apply  Jiis 
gifts,  in  a  way  contrary  to  pure  wifdom. 

Should  we  continue  to  reject  thofe  merci- 
ful admonitions,  and  ufe  his  gifts  at  home, 
contrary  to  the  gracious  defign  of  the  giver, 
or  fend  them  abroad  in  a  way  of  trade,  which 
the  fpirit  of  truth  doth  not  lead  into  ;  and 
Ihould  he  whofe  eyes  are  upon  all  our  ways., 
extend  his  chaftifements  fo  far  as  to  reduce 
us  to  much  greater  diftrefs  than  hath  yet  been 
felt  by  thefe  provinces  ;  with  what  forrow  of 
heart  might  we  meditate  on  that  fubjedl, 
^'  Haft  thou  not  procured  this  unto  thy  felf, 
^'  in  that  thou  haft  forfaken  the  Lord  thy 

God,  when  he  led  thee  by  thee  way  ? 

Thine 


580    On  divine  admonitions, 


Thine  own  wickednefs  fhall  correal  tliee,^ 
and  thy  backHidings  fhall  reprove  thee: 
^'  know  therefore  and  fee,  that  it  is  an  evil 
^'  thing  and  bitter,  that  thou  haft  forfaken 
the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  my  fear  is  not 
in  thee,  faith  the  Lqrd  God  of  hofts."  Jer. 
ii.  17,  19, 

My  mind  hath  often  been  alFecfled  Vv^ith 
forrow,  in  beholding  a  wrong  application  of 
the  gifts  of  our  heavenly  Father  ;  and  thofe 
exprellions  concerning  the  defilement  of  the 
earth  have  been  opened  to.  my  underftanding, 
The  earth  v^as  corrupt  before  God,  and 
the  earth  was  filled  with  violence."  Gen. 
vi.  II.    Again,  Ifaiah  xxiv.  5.      The  earth 
alfo,  is  defiled  under  the  inhabitants  there- 
of,  becaufe  they  have— broken  the  ever-r 
lafting  covenant/' 

The  earth  being  the  work  of  a  divine  pow- 
er, may  not  as  fuch  be  accounted  unclean  ; 
but  when  violence  is  committed  thereon,  and 
the  channel  of  righteoufnefs  fo  obftrudled, 
that  in  our  fkirts  are  found  the  blood  of 
the  fouls  of  poor  innocents  ;  not  by  a  fe- 
cret  fearch,  but  upon  all  thefe."  Jerem. 
ii.  34.  * 

When  blood,  fhed  unrighteoufly,  remains 
unattoned  for,  and  the  inhabitants  are  not 
effedtually  purged  from  it,  when  they  do  not 
wafh  their  hands  in  innocency,  as  was  figur- 
ed in  the  law,  in  the  cafe  of  one  being  found 

Hain  ; 


*  See  a  caution  and  warning  to  Great-Britain  and  her  co- 
lonies; page  31, 


On  divine  ADMOHITIONS.  381 

flain  ;  but  feek  for  gain  arifing  from  fcenes 
of  violence  and  oppreflion,  here  the  land  is 
polluted  with  blood.    Deut.  xxi.  6. 

Moreover,  v^hen  the  earth  is  planted  and 
tilled,  and  the  fruits  brought  forth  are  appli- 
ed to  fupport  unrighteous  purpofes  ;  here  the 
gracious  deiign  of  infinite  gdodnefs,  in  thefe 
his  gifts  being  perverted,  the  earth  is  defiled ; 
and  the  complaint  formerly  uttered  becomes 
iapplicable ;  Thou  haft  made  me  to  ferve 
with  thy  fins  ;  thou  haft  wearied  me  with 
thine  iniquities/'    Ifaiah  xliii.  24^ 


THE  END, 


[  ] 


RE  MARKS 


O  N 


SUNDRY  SUBJECT  S. 

Firft  printed  in  London,  1773* 


CHAP.  h 

On  loving  our  Neighbours  as  ourfdves^ 

HEN  we  love  the  Lord  with  all 
our  li^earts,  and  his  creatures  in  his 
love,  we  are  then  preferved  in  ten- 
dernefs  both  toward  mankind  and  the  animal 
creation ;  but  if  another  fpirit  gets  room  in 
our  minds,  and  we  follow  it  in  our  proceed- 
ings, we  are  then  in  the  wajr  of  dilbrdering 
the  affairs  of  fociety*      e  *^ 

If  a  man  fucceisful  in  bufinefs  expends 
part  of  his  income  in  things  of  no  real  ufe, 
while  the  poor  employed  by  him  pafs  through  " 
great  difficulties  in  getting  the  neceflaries  of 
Ufe,  this  requires  his  ferious  attention. 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  383 


If  levcral  principal  men  in  bufinefs  unite 
in  fetting  die  wages  of  thof^  who  work  for 
hire,  and  therein  have  regard  to  a  profit  to 
thcmfclves  anfwerabk  to  unneceflary  expence 
in  their  families,  v/Iiile  the  wages  of  the  others 
on  a  moderate  induilry  will  not  aiTord  a  com- 
fortable living  for  their  families,  and  a  pro- 
per education  for  their  children ;  this  is  Hke 
laying  a  temptation  in  the  way  of  fome  to 
llrive  for  a  place  higher  than  they  are  in, 
when  they  have  not  ftock  fufficient  for  it.  ' 

Now  I  feel  a  concern  in  the  fpring  of  pure 
love,  that  all  who  have  plenty  of  outward 
fubftance,  may  example  others  in  the  right 
ufe  of  things  ;  may  carefully  look  into  the 
condition  of  poor  people,  and  beware  of  ex- 
adling  on  them  with  regard  to  their  wages. 

While '  hired  labourers,  by  moderate  in- 
duftry,  through  the  divine  bleffing,  may  live 
comfortably,  raife  up  families,  and  give  them 
fiiitable  education,  it  appears  reafonable.for 
them  to  be  content  with  their  wages,  -rr--: 

If  they  who  have  plenty,  love  their  feilov/ 
creatures  in  that  love  which  is  divine,  and  in 
all  their  proceedings  have  an  equal  regard  to 
the  good  of  mankind  univerfally,  their  place 
in  fociety  is  a  place  of  care,  an  office  requir- 
ing attention,  and  the  more  we  polTefs,  the 
greater  is  our  truft,  and  with  an  increafe  of 
treafure,  an  increafe  of  care  becomes  necef- 
fary. 

When  our  will  is  fubje^l  to  the  will  of , God, 
and  in  relation  to  the  things  of  this  world, 
we  have  nothing  in  view,  but  a  comfortable 

living 


384    On  loying  our  NEIGHBOURS. 

living  equally  with  the  reft  of  our  fellow 
creatuiTs,  then  outward  treafures  are  no  far- 
ther delirable  than  as  we  feel  a  gift  in  our 
minds  equal  to  the  truft,  and  ftrength  to  a(5l 
as  dutiful  children  in  his  fervice,  who  hath 
formed  all  mankind,  and  appointed  a  fub- 
fiftence  for  us  in  this  world* 

A  delire  fot  treafures  on  any  other  motive^ 
appears  to  be  againft  that  command  of  our 
bleffed  Saviour,      Lay  not  up  for  yourfelves 

treafures  on  earth,  Mat,  vi.  19. 

He  forbids  not  laying  up  in  the  fummer 
againft  the  wants  of  winter  ;  nor  doth  he 
teach  us  to  be  flothful  in  that  which  properly 
relates  to  our  being  in  this  world  ;  but  in 
this  prohibition  he  puts  in  jour/elves  Lay 

not  up  for  yourfelves  treafures  here  oil 

earth." 

Now  in  the  pure  light^  this  language  is 
underftood,  for  in  the  love  of  Chrift  there  is 
no  refpecl  of  perfons  ;  and  while  we  abide  in 
his  love,  we  live  not  to  ourfelves,  but  to  him 
■who  died  for  us.  And  as  we  are  thus  united 
in  fpirit  to  Chrift,  w^e  are  engaged  to  labour 
in  promoting  that  work  in  the  earth  for  which 
he  fafPered. 

In  this  ftate  of  mind  our  deftres  are,  that 
every  honeft  member  in  fociety  may  have  a 
jportion  of  treafure,  and  ftiare  of  truft,  an- 
l\verable  to  that  gift,  w4th  which  our  hea« 
venly  Father  hath  gifted  us. 

In  great  treafure,  there  is  a  great  truft. 

A  great  truft  requireth  great  care. 

But  the  laborious  mind  wants  reft, 

A  pious 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  385 


A  pious  man  is  content  to  do  a  iliare  of 
biu^mefs  in  focietj,  anfwerable  to  the  gifts 
with  which  he  is  endowed,  while  the  chan- 
nels of  buiinefs  are  free  from  unrighteoiif-  • 
nefs,  but  is  careful  left  at  any  time  his  heart 
be  overcharged. 

In  the  harmonious  fpirit  of  fociety  Ghrift 

is  all  in  all,"  Col.  iii.  11. 

Here  it  is  that  "  old  things  are  paft  away^ 

all  things  are  new,  all  things  are  of  God," 
2  Cor.  V.  17,  18.  and  the  deiire  for  outward 
riches  is  at  an  end. 

They  of  low  degree  who  have  fmall  gifts, 
enjoy  their  help  who  have  large  gifts  ;  thofe 
with  their  finail  gifts,  have  a  finall  degree  of 
care,  while  thefe  with  their  large  gifts,  have 
a  large  degree  of  care  :  and  thus  to  abide  in 
the  love  of  Chrift,  and  enjoy  a  comfortable 
living  in  this  world  is  all  that  is  aimed  at  by 
thofe  members  in  fociety,  to  whom  Chrift  is 
made  wifdom  and  righteoufnefs. 

But  when  they  who  have  much  treafure, 
are  not  faithful  ftewards  of  the  gitts  of  God, 
great  difficulties  attend  it* 

Now  this  matter  hath  deeply  afFedled  my 
mind.  The  Lord,  through  merciful  chaftife- 
ments,  hath  given  me  a  feeling  of  that  love, 
in  which  the  harmony  of  fociety  ftandeth, 
and  a  fight  of  the  grov/th  of  that  feed  which 
bringeth  forth  wars  and  great  calamities  in 
the  w^orld,  and  a  labour  attends  me  to  open 
it  to  others. 

Now  to  act  w^ith  integrity,  according  to 
that  ftrength  of  mind  and  body  with  v/hich 

G  c  eur 


386    Oi^'vmmG  dT?MNEIGHBOURS; 


our  creator  hath  endowed  each  of  us,  appears 
neceffary  for  all,  and  he  who  thus  (lands  in 
the  loweft  ftation,  appears  to  be  entitled  to  as 
comfortable  and  convenient  a  living,- ^Sr  he 
whofe  gifts  of  mind  are  greater,  and  whofe 
cares  are  more  extenhve.  ,  •  ■  -i^i 

If  fome  endowed  with  ftrong  underflandTj; 
ings  as  men,  abide  not  in  the  harmonious 
ftate,  in  w^hich  \yq     love  our  neighbours  as 

ourfelves,'*  but  walk  in  that  fpirit  in  which 
the  children  of  this  world  are  wife  in  theii^  - 
generation ;  thefe  by  the  ftrength  of  contrij-i 
vance  may  fometimes  gather  great  treafurey 
but  the  wifdom  of  this  world  is  foolilhnefs 
with  God  ;  and  if  we  gather  treafures  in 
worldly  wifdom,  we  lay  up      treafures  for 

ourfelves  and  great  treafures  managed 
in  any  other  fpirit,  than  the  fpirit  of  truth^^ 
difordereth  the  affairs  of  fociety,  for  hereb)^ 
the  good  gifts  of  God  in  this  outward  crea- 
tion are  turned  into  the  channels  of  worldly 
honour,  and  frequently  appHed  to  fupport 
luxury,  while  the  w^ages  of  poor  labourers 
are  fuch,  that  with  moderate  induftry  and 
frugality  they  may  not  live  comfortably^  raife 
up  families,  and  give  them  fuitable  educati- 
on, but  through  the  ftreightnefs  of  their  con- 
dition, are  often  drawn  on  to  labour  under 
wearinefs,  to  toil  through  hardfhips  them- 
felves,  and  frequently  to  opprefs  thole  ufeful 
animals  with  which  we  are  entrufted. 

From  age  to  age,  throughout  all  ages,  dit 
vine  love  is  that  alone,  in  which  dominion 
has  been,  is,  and  w^ill  be  rightly  coaducled. 


O^'U^^i^G^buR  NEIGHBOURS.  387^ 

In  this  the  endowments  of  men  are  fo  em-* 
ployed,  that  the  friend  and  tlie  governor  are 
vmited  in  oile,  and  oppreffive  cufloms  come 
to  an  endi^^^i  ^  lODtm 

Riches  in"  thie  ha.iids  of  individuals  in  fo- 
ciety,  is  attended  with  feme  degree  of  power ; 
and  fd  far  as  power  is  put  forth  feparateTrom 
pure  love,  fo  far  the  government  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace  is  interrupted  ;  and  as  we  know  not 
that  oilr  children  after  us  Vvall  dwell  in  that 
ftate  in  which  power  is  rightly  applied,  to 
lay  up  riches  for  theM  appears  to  be  againft 
the  nature  of  his  government. 

The  earth,  through  the  laboiir  of  men  un-* 
der  the  blefling  of  him  who  formed  it,  yield-^ 
ech  a  fupply  for  the  inhabitants  from  gene- 
ration to  generation,  and  they  who  walk  in 
the  pure  light,  their  minds  are  prepared  to 
tafte  and  relifh  not  only  thofe  bleffings  which 
are  fpiritual,  but  alfo  feel  a  fweetnefs  and  fa- 
tisfa<ftion  in  a  right  ufe  of  the  good  gifts  of 
God  in  the  vifibie  creation. 

Here  we  fee  that  man's  happinefs  fcands 
not  in  great  poiTeffions,  but  in  a  heart  de-- 
voted  to  follow  Chrift,  in  that  ufe  of  things^ 
where  cuftoms  contrary  to  univerfal  love  have 
no  power  over  us. 

In  this  ftate  our  hearts  are  prepared  to  truft 
in  God,  and  our  defires  for  our  children  and 
poflerity  are,  that  they,  with  the  reft  of  man- 
kind, in  ages  to  come,  may  be  of  that  num-*- 
ber,  of  whom  he  hath  faid,  I  will  be  a 
father  to  them,  and  they  lhall  be  my  fons 
*  ^  and  daughters,''  a  Gor.  m^  i  8v 

G  c  2  When 


388    On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS. 


When  v/ages  in  a  fruitfnl  land  bear  fo  fmall 
a  proportion  to  the  neceffaries  of  hfe,  that 
poor  honeft  people  who  have  families  cannot 
by  a  moderate  induflry  attain  to  a  comfort- 
able living,  and  give  their  children  fufficient 
learning,  but  mull  either  labour  to  a  degree 
of  opprellion,  or  elfe  omit  that  which  appears 
to  be  a  duty. 

While  this  is  the  cafe  with  the  poor,  there 
is  an  inclination  in  the  minds  of  moft  people, 
to  prepare  at  leaft  fo  much  treafure  for  their 
children,  that  they  with  care  and  moderate 
induftry  may  live  free  from  thefe  hardfliips 
which  the  poor  pafs  through. 

Now  this  fubje(5t  requireth  our  ferious  con- 
fideration  :  to  labour  that  our  children  may 
be  put  in  a  way  to  live  comfortably,  appears 
in  itfelf  to  be  a  duty,  fo  long  as  thefe  our 
labours  are  confiftent  with  univerfal  righte- 
Gufnefs  ;  but  if  in  ftriving  to  fhun  poverty, 
we  do  not  walk  in  that  ftate  where     Chrift  is 

our  life,''   then  we  w^ander  ;      He  that 

hath  the  Son,  hath  life,''    i  John  v.  12. 

This  life  is  the  light  of  men,"  John  i.  4. 
If  we  walk  not  in  this  light,  we  walk  in 
darknefs,  and     he  that  waiketh  in  darknefs, 

knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth,"  John 
xll  35. 

To  keep  to  right  means  in  labouring  to 
attain  a  right  end  is  neceffary  :  if  in  ftriving 
to  flmn  poverty,  we  ftrive  only  in  that  ftate, 
where  Chrift  is  the  light  of  our  life,  our  la- 
bours will  ftand  in  the  true  harmony  of  fo- 
<:ietyj  but  if  people  are  confident  that  the 


On  lovivg  our  NEIGHBOURS.  389 


end  aimed  at  is  good,  and  in  this  confidence 
purfue  it  fb  eagerly,  as  not  to  wait  for  the 
fpirit  of  truth  to  lead  them,  then  they  come 
to  lofs.        Chrift  is  given  to  be  a  leader  and 

commander  of  the  people,''  Ifaiah  Iv.  4. 
Again  ;  The  Lord  fliall  guide  thee  conti- 
^'  nually,"  Ifaiah  lyiii.  12.    Again  ;  Lord, 

thou  wilt  ordain  peace  for  us,  for  thou 

alfo  haft  wrought  all  our  works  in  us.", 
Ifaiah  xxvi.  1 2. 

In  the  Lord  have  we  righteoufnefs  and 
^'  ftrength,''  Ifaiah  xlv.  24. 

In  this  ftate  our  minds  are  preferved  watch- 
ful in  following  the  leadings  of  his  fpirit  in 
all  our  proceedings  in  this  world,  and  a  care 
is  felt  for  a  reformation  in  general  ;  that 
our  own  pofterity,  with  the  reft  of  mankind 
in  fucceeding  ages,  may  not  be  entangled 
by  oppreffive  cuftoms,  tranfmitted  to  them 
through  our  hands  :  but  if  people  in  the 
narrownefs  of  natural  love,  are  afraid  that 
their  children  will  be  opprefted  by  the  rich, 
and  through  an  eager  defire  to  get  treafures, 
depart  from  the  pure  leadings  of  truth  in  one 
cafe,  though  it  may  feem  to  be  a  fmall  mat- 
ter, yet  the  mind  even  in  that  fmall  matter 
may  be  emboldened  to  continue  in  a  way  of 
proceeding,  without  waiting  for  the  divine 
Leader. 

Thus  people  may  grow  expert  in  bufinefs^ 
wife  in  the  wifdom  of  this  world,  retain  a 
fair  reputation  amongft  men,  and  yet  being 
ftrangers  to  the  voice  of  Chrift,  the  fafe  lead- 
er of  his  flock,  the  treafures  thus  gotten, 

may 


|90    (9#^i9¥i^S'oUR  NEIGHBOURS. 

may  be  like  fnares  to  the  feet  of  their  pofce^ 
rity. 

Now  to  keep  faithful  to  the  pure  counfel- 
lor,  and  tinder  trying  circumilances  fuffer 
adverfity  for  righteoufnefo  fake,  in  this  there 
is  a  reward. 

If  we,  being  poor,  are  hardly  dealt  with 
by  thoie  who  are  lieh,  and  under  this  diffi- 
culty are  frugal  and  induftrious,  and  in  true 
humility  open  our  cafe  to  them  who  opprefs 
us,  this  may  reach  the  pure  witnefs  in  their 
minds  ;  and  though  we  Ihould  remain  under 
difficulties  as  to  the  outward,  yet  if  we  abide 
in  the  love  of  Chrift,  all  will  work  for  our 
good. 

When  we  feel  what  it  is  to  fafier  in  the  true 
fuffering  ftate,  then  we  experience  the  truth 
of  thofe  expreffions,  that,  as  the  fufferings 
'       of  Chrift  abound  in  us,  fo  our  confolation 

aboundeth  by  Chrift,'^  2  Cor.  5. 

But  if  poor  people  who  are  hardly  dealt 
withj  '  do  not  attain  to  the  true  fuifering  ftate, 
do  not  labour  in  true  love  with  thofe  who 
deal  hardly  with  them,  but  envy  their  out- 
ward greatnefs,  murmur  in  their  hearts  be- 
caufe  of  their  own  poverty,  and  ftrivx  in  the 
wifdom  of  this  world  to  get  riches  for  them- 
■  ifelves  and  their  children  j  this  i$,  like  wan- 
dering in  the  dark. 

^  If  we  who  are  of  a  middle  ftation  between 
riches  and  poverty,  are  afFedled  at  times  with 
the  oppreflions  of  the  poor,  and  feel  a  tender 
regard  for  our  pofterity  after  us  ;  O  how  ne- 
: '  ceftaFj 


On  LOVING  OUR  NEIGHBOURS.  391 


ceffary  is  it  that  we  wait  for  the  pure  counfel 

of  truth  ! 

Many  have  feen  the  hardlhips  of  the  poor^ 
felt  an  eager  defire  that  their  children  may- 
be put  in  a  way  to  efcape  thefe  hardfhips  ; 
but  how  few  have  continued  in  that  pure  love 
w^hich  openeth  our  underftandings  to  proceed 
rightly  under  thefe  difficulties  ! 

How  few  have  faithfully  followed  that  ho- 
ly Leader  who  prepares  his  people  to  labour 
for  the  refloration  of  true  harmony  amongft 
our  fellow-creatures  ! 

In  the  pure  gofpel  fpirit  we  walk  by 

faith  and  not  by  light/'  2  Cor.  v. 

In  the  obedience  of  faith  we  die  to  the  nar- 
rovmefs  of  felf-love^  and  our  life  being  hid 
with  Chrift  in  God^  our  hearts  are  enlarged 
tow^ard  mankind  univerfally  ;  but  in  depart-* 
ing  from  the  true  light  of  life,  many  iu 
ftriving  to  get  treafures  have  ftumbled  upon 
the  dark  mountains. 

Nov/  that  purity  of  life  wdiich  proceeds 
from  faithfulnefs  in  following  the  fpirit  of 
truth,  that  ftate  where  ovir  minds  are  devot- 
ed to  ferve  God,  and  all  our  wants  are  bound- 
ed by  his  wifdom,  this  habitation  has  often 
beerj  opened  before  me  as  a  place  of  retire- 
ment for  the  children  of  the  light,  where 
we  may  ftand  feparated  from  that  which  dif- 
ordereth  and  confufeth  the  affairs  of  fociety, 
and  where  we  may  have  a  teftimony  of  our 
,innoQe«Ci?  in  th^  Jiearts  ot  thgi^^yiha  behold 

wifk  Through 


39^    On  loving  cur  NEIGHBOURS. 

Through  departing  from  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  jefiis,  through  introducing  ways  of  life 
attended  with  unncccfTary  expences,  many- 
wants  have  arifen,  the  minds  of  people  have 
been  employed  in  ftudying  to  get  weakh,  and 
in  this  purfuit  fbme  departing  from  equity, 
have  retained  a  profeillon  of  rehgion  ;  otbers 
have  looked  at  their  example,  and  thereby 
been  ftrengthened  to  proceed  further  in  the 
jfarne  w^ay  :  thus  many  have  encouraged  the 
trade  of  taking  men  from  Africa,  and  felling 
them  as  flaves. 

It  hath  l)een  computed  that  near  one  hun- 
dred thotifand  Negroes  have  of  late  years 
been  taken  annually  from  that  coaft,  by  ihips 
employed  in  the  Englifli  trade. 

As  I  have  travelled  on  religious  vints  in 
fome  parts  of  America,  I  have  feen  many  of 
thefe  people  under  the  command  of  overfeers, 
in  a  painful  fervitude. 

I  have  beheld  them  as  Gentiles  under  peo- 
ple profeffing  chriftianity,  not  only  kept  ig- 
norant of  the  holy  fcriptures,  but  under 
great  provocations  to  wrath  ;  of  v^hom  it 
may  truly  be  faid,     They  that  rule  over  them 

make  them  to  howl,  and  the  holy  Name  is 

abundantly  blafphemed,''  Ifaiah  lii.  5. 
Where  children  are  taught  to  read  the  facred 
writings,  v/hiie  young,  and  exampled  in 
meeknefs  and  humility,  it  is  often  helpful  to 
them  ;  nor  is  this  any  more  than  a  debt  due 
from  us  to  a  fucceeding  age. 

But  where  youth  are  pinched  for  want  of 
the  iiecelfaries  of  life,  forced  to  labour  hard 

under 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  39^ 


under  tlic  Iiarfli  rebukes  of  rigorous  over- 
feers,  and  many  times  endure  unmerciful 
whippings  :  in  fuch  an  education,  how  great 
are  the  difadvantages  they  iie  under  !  And 
how  forcibly  do  thele  things  work  againft  the 
increafe  of  the  government  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace ! 

Humphrey  Smith,  in  his  works,  p.  125, 
fpeaking  of  the  tender  feehngs  of  the  love  of 
God  in  his  heart  when  he  was  a  child,  faid, 

By  the  violent  wrathful  nature  that  ruled 
in  othex^s,  was  my  quietnefs  diflurbed,  and 
anger  begotten  in  me  toward  them,  yet  that 
of  God  in  me  was  not  wholly  overcome,  but 
his  love  was  felt  in  my  heart,  and  great  v/as 
my  grief  when  the  earthly-mindednefs  and 
wrathful  nature  fo  provoked  me,  that  I  v/as 
eftranged  from  it/' 

And  this  I  write  as  a  warning  to  pa- 
rents and  others,  that  in  the  fear  of  the  liv- 
ing God,  you  may  train  up  the  youth,  and 
may  not  be  a  means  of  bringing  them  into 
fuch  alienation." 

Many  are  the  vanities  and  luxuries  of  the 
prefent  age,  and  in  labouring  to  fupport  a 
way  of  living  conformable  to  the  prefent 
world,  the  departure  from  that  wifdom  that 
is  pure  and  peaceable,  hath  been  great. 

Under  the  fenfe  of  a  deep  revolt,  anci  an 
overflowing  ftream  of  unrighteoufnefs,  my 
life  has  been  often  a  life  of  mourning,  and 
tender  defires  are  raifed  in  me,  that  the  na- 
ture of  this  practice  may  be  laid  to  heart. 

I  have 


394         LOVING  OUR  NEIGHBOUR.Si 


I  have  read  feme  books  wrote  by  people 
who  were  acquainted  with  the  manner  of 
getting  flaves  in  Africa. 

I  have  had  verbal  relations  of  this  nature 
from  feveral  Negroes  brought  from  Africa, 
who  have  learned  to  talk  Englifli. 

I  have  fundry  times  heard  Englifhmen 
fpeak  on  this  liibjedl,  who  have  been  in  A- 
frica  on  this  bufinefs  ;  and  from  all  thefe  ac- 
counts it  appears  evident  that  great  violence 
is  committed,  and  much  blood  fhed  in  A- 
frica  in  getting  Haves. 

When  three  or  four  hundred  flaves  are  put 
in  the  hold  of  a  veiTel  in  a  hot  climate,  their 
breathing  foon  aiFe6ls  the  air.  Were  that 
number  of  free  people  to  go  palTengers  with 
all  things  proper  for  their  voyage,  there 
would  inconvenience  arife  from  their  num- 
ber ;  but  flaves  are  taken  by  violence,  and 
frequently  endeavour  to  kill  the  white  peo- 
ple, that  they  may  return  to  their  native 
land.  Hence  they  are  frecjuenty  kept  under 
fuchafortof  confinement,  by  means  of  which 
a  fcent  arifeth  in  the  hold  of  a  flaip,  and  dif- 
tempers  often  break  out  amongfl:  them,  of 
which  many  die.  Of  this  tainted  air  in  the 
hold  of  fliips  freighted  with  flaves,  I  have 
had  feveral  accounts,  fome  in  print,  and  fome 
verbal,  and  all  agree  that  the  fcent  is  griev- 
ous. When  thefe  people  are  fold  in  America, 
and  in  the  iflands,  they  are  made  to  labour 
in.  a  manner  more  fervile  and  confl:ant,  than 
th^t  which  they  were  vifed  to  at  home,  that 

with 


Ok  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  395 

with  grief,  with  difFerent  diet  from  what  has 
been  common  with  them^  and  with  hard  la- 
bour, fome  thoufands  are  computed  to  die 
every  year,  in  what  is  called  the  feafomng. 
K^llhus  it  appears  evident,  that  great  imm- 
bers  of  thefe  people  are  brought  every  year 
to  an  untimely  end  ;  many  of  them  being 
fuch  who  never  injured  us. 

Where  the  innocent  fiifFer  under  hard- 
hearted men,  even  unto  death,  and  the  chan- 
nels of  equity  are  fo  obfi:ru(!Jled,  that  the 
caufe  of  the  fufferers  is  not  judged  in  righte- 
oufnefs,  the  land  is  polluted  with  blood,'^ 
Numb.  XXXV.  33. 

Where  blood  hath  been  Ihed  unrighteoullyj 
and  remains  unattoned  for,  the  cry  thereof  is 
very  piercing. 

Under  the  humbling  difpenfations  of  divine 
Providence,  this  cry  hath  deeply  afFeCled  my 
heart,  and  I  feel  a  concern  to  open,  as  I  may 
be  enabledj  that  which  lieth  heavy  on  my 
mind. 

When     the  iniquity  of  the  houfe  of  Ifrael 
and  of  Judah  v/as  exceeding  great,  when 
^'  the  land  was  defiled  with  blood,  and  the 
city  full  of  perverfnefs,"    Ezek.  ix.  9, 
Some  were  found  fighing  and  crying  101^ 
theabominationsof  the  times,"  Ezek.  ix.4. 
and  fuch  who  live  under  a  right  feeling  of 
our  condition  as  a  nation,  thefe  I  truft  will 
be  fenfible  that  the  Lord  at  this  day  doth  call 
'  to  mourning,  though  many  are  ignorant  of 
it.     So  powerful  are  bad  cuftoms  vmen  they 
^%ccQme  general,  that  people  growing  bold 

tliro' 


S96    On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS' 

thro'  the  examples  one  of  another,  have  often 
been  unmoyed  at  the  molt  lerioiis  warnings. 

Our  bieffed  Saviour  fpeaking  of  the  people 
of  the  old  Vv^orld,  faid,  "  They  eat,  they 
drank,  thcv  married,  and  were  triven  in 
marriage,  mitil  tlie  day  that  Noah  v»^ent 
into  the  ark,  and  the  flood  came  and  de- 
"  ftroyed  them  all,"  Luke  xvii.  27. 

The  like  he  fpake  concerning  the  people  of 
Sodom,  who  are  alfo  reprefented  by  the  pro- 
phet as  haughty,  luxurious,  and  oppreilive  ; 
This  vv^as  the  fin  of  Sodom,  pride,  fulnefs 
of  brea^d,  and  abundance  of  idienefs  was 
found  in  her,  and  in  her  daughters  ;  nei- 
ther  did  flie  ftrengthen  the  hands  of  the 
poor  and  needy,"  Ezek.  xvi.  49. 
Now  in  a  revolt  fo  deep  as  this,  when, 
much  blood  has  been  Died  unrighteoufly,  in 
carrying  on  the  flave^trade,  and  in  fupport- 
ing  the  praclice  of  keeping  flaves,  which  at 
this  day  is  unattoned  for,  and  crieth  from 
the  earth,  and  from  the  feas  againfl  the  op- 
preiTor  ! 

While  this  pracflice  is  continued,  and  un- 
der a  great  load  of  guilt  there  is  more  un- 
righteoufnefs  committed,  the  ftate  of  things 
is  very  moving  ! 

There  is  a  love  which  fcancls  in  nature, 
and  a  parent  beholding,  his  child  in  mifery 
liath  a  feeling  of  the  affii6lion  ;  but  in  divine 
love  the  hcp.rt  is  enlarged  towards  mankind 
imiverfally,  and  prepared  to  lympathife  with 
flrana:ers,  though  in  the  lowefl  fiations  in 
life.  ' 

Of 


On  LOVING  OUR  NEIGHBOURS.  397 


Of  this  tiie  prophet  appears  to  have  had  a 
feeUng,  when  he  faid,      Have  we  not  all  one 
Father  ?  Hath  not  one  God  created  us  I 
Why  then  do  we  deal  treacherouay  every 
man  with  his  brother,  in  prophaning  the 
covenant  of  our  fathers      Mai.  ii.  10. 
He  who  of  old  heard  the  groans  of  the 
children  of  Ifrael  under  the  hard  tailc-mafters 
in  Egypt,  I  truft  hath  looked  down  from  his 
holy  habitation  on  the  miferies  of  thefe  deep- 
ly opprelFed  people.    Many  lives  have  been 
ilrortned  through  extreme  oppreffion,  while 
they  laboured  to  fupport  luxury  and  worldly 
greatnefs  ;  and  tho'  many  people  in  outward 
profperity  may  think  little  of  thofe  things^ 
yet  the  gracious  Creator  hath  regard  to  the 
cries  of  the  innocent,  however  unnoticed  by 
men. 

The  Lord  in  the  riches  of  his  goodnefs  is 
leading  fome  into  the  feeling  of  the  condition 
of  this  people,  who  cannot  reft  without  la- 
bouring as  their  advocates  ;  of  which  in  fome 
meafure  I  have  had  experience,  for,  in  the 
movings  of  his  love  in  my  near t,  thefe  poor 
fufierers  have  been  brought  near  to  me. 

The  unoffending  aged  and  infirm  made  to 
labour  too  hard,  kept  on  a  diet  lefs  com- 
fortable than  their  weak  ftate  required,  and 
expo  fed  to  great  difHculties  under  hard-heart- 
ed men,  to  whofe  fufierings  I  have  often 
been  a  witnefs,  and  under  the  heart-melting 
power  of  divine  love,  their  mifery  hath  felt 
to  me  like  the  mifery  of  m^y  parents. 

InnocejiC 


'398    On  loving  our  NEIGHBOUR! 


Innocent  youth  taken  by  violence  from  * 
tlieir  native  land,  from  their  friends  and  ac- 
quaintance ;  put  on  board  ihips  with  hearts 
laden  with  forrow ;  expofed  to  great  hard- 
Ihips  at  fea  ;  placed  under  people,  where  their 
lives  have  been  attended  with  great  provoca- 
tion to  anger  and  revenge.  uiu;.  I. 

With  the  condition  of  thefe  youth; 
mind  hath  often  been  afFedled,  as  with  the 
Affli6lions  of  my  children,  and  in  a  feeling 
,of  the  mifery  of  thefe  people,  and  of  that 
great  offence  which  is  miniftered  to  them, 
-my  tears  have  been  often  poured  out  before 
the  Lord. 

That  holy  Spirit  which  affe61ed  my  heart 
v^hen  I  was  a  youth,  I  truft  is  often  felt  by 
the  Negroes  in  their  native  land,  inclining 
their  minds  to  that  which  is  righteous,  and 
had  the  profeffed  followers  of  Ghrift  in  all 
their  condudl  toward  them,  manifefled  a  dif- 
pofition  anfwerable  to  the  pure  principle  ii\ 
their  hearts,  how  might  the  holy  Name  have 
been  honoured  amongil  the  Gentiles,  and 
how  might  wq  Ifeve  rejoiced  in  the  fulfilling 
of  that  prophecy,      I  the  Lord  love  judg- 
ment,   I  hate  robbery  for  burnt-offerings, 
and  I  will  direcl  their  work  in  truth,  and 
make  an  everlaRing  covenant  v/ith  them. 
Their  feed  fhall  be  known  amongil  the 
Gentiles,  and  their  offspring  arnongil  the 
people  :  all  that  fse  them  fliall  acknowledge 
them,  that  they  are  the  feed  which  the 
Lord  hath  bieSd,"  Ifkiah  ki.  8,  9.  ^ 

But 


Qmmj^^^  OUR  NEIGHBOURS.  399 

But  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  things,  how 
contrary  is  this  pracflice  to  that  meek  fpirit, 
in  which  our  Saviour  laid  down  his  hfe  for 
us,  that  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  might  know 
falvation  in  his  name  ! 

How  are  the  fufferings  of  our  blelled  Re-* 
deemer  fet  at  nought,  and  his  name  blaf- 
phemed  a^mongft  the  Gentiles,  through  the 
unrighteous  proceedings  of  his  profeffed  fol- 
lowers ! 

My  mind  hath  often  been  affedled,  even 
from  the  days  of  my  youth,  under  a  fenfe  of 
that  marvellous  work,  for  which  God,  in  in- 
finite goodnefs,  fent  his  Son  into  the  world* 

The  opening  of  that  fpring  of  living  wa- 
ters, which  the  true  believers  in  Chrift  ex- 
perience, by  which  they  are  redeemed  from 
pride  and  covetoufnefs,  and  brought  into  a 
ilate  of  meeknefs,  where  their  hearts  are  en- 
larged in  true  love  toward  their  fellov^^  crea- 
tures univerfaily  ;  this  work  to  me  has  been 
precious,  and  the  fpreading  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  amongft  the  Gentiles  been  very  de- 
firable.  And  the  profeffed  followers  of  Chrift 
joining  in  cuftoms  evidently  unrighteous, 
v/hich  manifeftly  tend  to  ftir  up  wrath,  and 
increafe  wars  and  defolations,  hath  often  co- 
vered my  mind  with  forrow. 

If  we  bring  this  matter  home,  and  as  Job 
propofed  to  his  friends,      Put  ovir  foul  in 
''  jtheir  foul's  ftead,''  Job  xvi.  4. 
;jlf  we  confider  ourielves  and  our  children 

expoftd  to  the  hardfiiips  which  thefc  peo- 


400    On  LOVING  OUR  NEIGHBOURS. 


pie  lie  under  in  fiipporting  an  imaginary 
greatnefs. 

Did  we  in  fuch  cafe  behold  an  increafe  of 
luxury  and  fuperfluity  amongfi:  our  opprel^ 
fors,  and  therewith  felt  an  increafe  of  the 
weight  of  our  burdens,  and  expecled  our  po- 
fieri ty  to  groan  under  opprelTion  after  us. 

Under  all  this  mifery,  had  we  none  to 
plead  our  caufe,  nor  any  hope  of  relief  from 
man,  how  would  our  cries  afcend  to  the  God 
of  the  fpirits  of  all  ilefh,  who  judgeth  the 
world  in  rigliteoufnefs,  and  in  his  own  time 
is  a  refuge  for  the  oppreffed  ! 

If  they  who  thus  afflicted  us,  continued  to 
lay  claim  to  religion,  and  were  affifted  in 
their  bufinefs  by  others,  efteemed  pious  peo-* 
pie,  who  through  a  friendihip  with  them 
llrengthened  their  hands  in  tyranny. 

In  fuch  a  ftate,  when  we  were  hunger-bit- 
ten, and  could  not  have  fufficient  nouriih- 
ment,  but  faw  them  in  fulnefs  pleafing  their 
tafte  with  things  fetched  from  far  : 

When  we  were  wearied  with  labour,  deni^ 
ed  the  liberty  to  rePc,  and  faw  them  fpending 
their  time  at  eafe  :  when  garments  anfwer- 
able  to  our  ncceflities  were  denied  us,  while 
We  faw  them  cloathed  iix  that  which  was 
coftly  and  delicate  : 

Under  fuch  aiilidlion,  how  would  thefe 
painful  feelings  rife  up  as  witnelTes  againft 
their  pretended  devotion  !  And  if  the  name 
of  their  religion  was  mentioned  in  our  hear- 
ing, how  would  it  found  in  our  ears  ,  like  a 

word 


On  loving  ouk  NEIGHBOURS.  401 


Word  v/hicli  iigniiied  felf-exaltatioii,  and 
hardnefs  of  heart ! 

When  a  trade  is  carried  on^  produ6live  of 
much  mifery,  aud  they  who  fuffer  by  it  are 
fome  thoufand  miles  off,  the  danger  is  the 
greater,  of  not  laying  their  fulFerings  to 
heart. 

In  procuring  Haves  on  the  coaft  of  Africa, 
many  children  are  flolen  privately ;  wars  alio 
are  encouraged  amongft  the  Negroes,  but  all 
is  at  a  great  diftance. 

Pviany  gfoans  arife  from  dying  men,  which 
we  hear  not. 

Many  cries  are  uttered  by  widovsrs  and  fa- 
therlefs  children,  which  reach  not  our  ears. 

Many  cheeks  are  wet  with  tears,  and  faces 
fad  with  unutterable  grief,  which  we  fee 
not. 

Cruel  tyranny  is  encouraged.  The  hands 
of  robbers  are  ftrengthened,  and  thoufands 
reduced  to  the  moft  abject  flavery,  who  ne- 
ver injured  us. 

Were  we  for  the  term  of  one  year  only  to 
be  eye-witneifes  to  what  pafTeth  in  getting 
thefe  flaves  : 

Was  the  blood  which  is  there  fhed  to  be 
fprinkled  on  our  garments  : 

Were  the  poor  captives  bound  w4th  thongs, 
heavy  laden  with  elephants  teeth,  to  pafs  be- 
fore our  eyes  on  their  way  to  the  fea  : 

Were  their  bitter  lamentations  day  after 
day  to  ring  in  our  ears,  and  their  mournful 
cries  in  the  night  to  hinder  us  from  lleep- 
ing: 

D  d  Were 


402   6#ij6f iNG  OUR  NEIGHBOURS. 


Were  we  to  hear  the  found  of  the  tumult 
when  the  flaves  on  board  the  ihips  attempt 
to  kill  the  Englifh,  and  jbghold  ihe  jflu^^ 
thole  bloody  conflicls  :      a-,nq     ./c,-.i  JiJH  t 

What  pious  man  could  be  a  witnefs  to  thefe 
things,  and  fee  a  trade  carried  on  in  this 
manner,  without  being  deeply  afFedled  with 
forrow  ? 

Through  abiding  in  the  love  of  Chrift  we 
feel  a  tendernefs  in  our  hearts  toward  our 
fellow-creatures,  entangled  in  oppreffive  cuf- 
toms  ;  and  a  concern  lb  to  walk,  that  our 
conducl  may  not  be  a  means  of  ftrengthening 
them  in  error. 

It  was  the  command  of  the  Lord  through 
Mofes^      Thou  fhalt  not  fuffer  fin  upon  thy 

brother:  thou  lhalt  in  any  wife  rebuke  thy 

brother,    and  flialt  not  fuffer  fin  upon 

him."  Lev.  xix.  17. 

Again  ;  Keep  far  from  a  falfe  matter  ; 
^'  and  the  innocent  and  righteous  flay  thou 
^'  not."  Exod.  xxiii.  7. 

The  prophet  Ifaiah  mentions  opprefhon  as 
that  which  the  true  church  in  time  of  out-- 
ward  quiet  ihould  not  only  be  clear  of,  but 
ihould  be  far  from  it  ;      Thou  fhalt  be  far 

from  oppreflion."  Ifaiah  liv.  14.  Now 
thefe  words,  far  from^  appear  to  have  an  ex- 
tenfive  meaning,  and  to  convey  inflrudlioii 
in  regard  to  that  of  which  Solomon  fpeaks, 
'^'  Though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked 

fhall  not  go  unpunifhed."  Prov.  xvi.  5. 

It  was  a  complaint  againft  one  of  old. 

When  thou  faweft  a  thief,  thou  confent- 
^  edft  with  Umr  Vi^A,  i8.  The 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  40^ 


•lilpi^e  prophet  Jeremiah  reprefents  the  de- 
gtfees  of  preparation  toward  idolatrous  lacri-' 
fice,  in  the  fimihtude  of  a  work  carried  oa 
by  children^   men,    and   women.  The 

children  gather  wood,  the  fathers  kindle 

th&  fire,  and  the  women  knead  the  dough 
-  to  bake  cakes  for  the  queen  of  heaven/' 
Jer.  vii.  18. 

It  was  a  complaint  of  the  Lord  a^gainft  If- 
3rael,  through  his  prophet  Ezekiel,  that  they 
^'  ftrengthened  the  hands  o4  the  wicked 5  and 

made  the  hearts  of  the  righteous  fad.'* 
Ezek.  xiii.  12,  ' 

Some  vvorks  of  iniquity  carried  on  by  the 
people  wef  e  repf  efented  by  the  prophet  Flofea, 
in  the  fimilitude  of  ploughing,  reaping,  and 
eating  the  fruit ;      You  have  ploughed  wick- 

edaefs,  reaped  iniquity,  eaten  the  fruit  of 

lying,  becaufe  thou  didfl:  truft  in  thy  own 

way,  to  the  multitude  of  thy  mighty  men  J' 
Hofea  X.  13.  y.:iiiii 

I  have  felt  great  diilrefs  of  mind  fince  I 
came  on  this  ifland,  on  account  of  the  mem- 
bers of  ovir  fociety  being  mixed  with  the 
World  in  various  forts  of  bufinefs  and  traffic, 
carried  on  in  impure  channels.  Great  is  the 
trade  to  Africa  for  flaves  ;  and  in  loading 
thefe  ihips  abundance  of  people  are  employed 
in  the  manufacflories.  '^'^m 

Friends  in  early  time  refafed,  on  a  religi- 
Otis  principle,  to  make  or  trade  in  fuperflui- 
ties,  of  which  we  have  many  large  teftirno-- 
iiies  on  record,  but  for  want  of  faithfulnef> 
Ibme  gave  way,  even  fome  whofe  examples 


404         £9? I IrB'oij R  NEIGHBOURS. 


were  of  note  in  fociety,  and  from  thence  o- 
thers  took  more  liberty  :  members  of  our  fo- 
ciety  worked  in  fiiperfluities,  and  bought  and 
fold  them,  and  thus  dimncfs  of  fight  came 
over  many.  At  lengtli,  friends  got  into  the 
ufe  of  fome  fuperfluities  in  drefs,  and  in  the 
furniture  of  their  houfes,  and  this  hath  fpread 
from  lefs  to  more,  till  luperfiuity  of  fome 
kinds  is  common  amongll  us. 

In  this  decUning  flate  many  look  at  the 
example  one  of  another,  and  too  much  ne- 
glect the  pure  feeling  of  truth.  Of  late  years 
a  deep  exercife  hath  attended  my  mind,  that 
friends  may  dig  deep,  may  carefully  call  forth 
the  loofe  matter,  and  get  down  to  the  rock, 
the  fure  foundation,  and  there  hearken  to 
that  divine  voice  which  gives  a  clear  and  cer- 
tain found. 

And  I  have  felt  in  that  wdiich  doth  not  de- 
ceive, that  if  friends  v/ho  have  known  the 
truth,  keep  in  that  tendernefs  of  heart,  where 
all  views  of  outward  gain  are  given  up,  and 
their  truO:  is  only  on  the  Lord,  he  will  gra- 
ciouily  lead  fome  to  be  patterns  of  deep  ieif- 
denial,  in  things  relating  to  trade,  and  han- 
dicraft labour ;  and  that  fome  who  have 
plenty  of  the  treafures  of  this  world,  will  ex- 
ample in  a  plain  frugal  life,  and  pay  w^ages 
to  fach  whom  they  may  hire,  more  liberally 
dian  is  now  cuftomary  in  fome  places. 

The  prophet,  fpeaking  of  the  true  church, 
faid,  "  Thy  people  alfo  ftiall  be  all  righte- 

ous. 

ii>iiOf  the  depth  of  this  divine  work  feveral 
have  fpokcn,  John 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  405 


Jolm  Grattoriy  in  his  journal,  p.  45^  faid. 
The  Lord  is  my  portion,  I  Ihail  not  want* 
He  hath  wrought  all  my  works  in  me,  I 
am  nothing  but  wdiat  I  am  in  him." 

Gilbert  Latey,  through  the  powerful  ope- 
rations of  the  fpirit  of  Chrifl  in  his  foul,  was 
brought  to  that  depth  of  felf-denial,  that  he 
could  not  join  with  that  proud  fpirit  in  other 
people,  which  inclined  them  to  want  vanities 
and  fuperfluities.  This  friend  was  often  a- 
mongft  the  chief  rulers  of  the  nation  in  times 
of  perfecution,  and  it  appears  by  the  tefti- 
mony  of  friends,  that  his  dwelling  w^as  fo  e- 
vidently  in  the  pure  life  of  truth,  that  in  his 
vifits  to  thofe  great  men,  he  found  a  place  in 
their  minds  ;  and  that  king  James  the  fecond, 
in  the  times  of  his  troubles,  made  particular 
mention  in  a  very  refpedlful  manner  of  w^hat 
Gilbert  once  faid  to  him. 

The  faid  Gilbert  found  a  concern  to  v/rite 
an  epiftle,  in  which  are  thefe  expreffions  ; 
^'  Fear  the  Lord,  ye  men  of  all  forts,  trades, 
and  callings,  and  leave  oiT  all  the  evil  that  is 
in  them,  for  the  Lord  is  grieved  with  all  the 
evils  ufed  in  your  employments  wdiich  you 
are  exercifed  in.'' 

It  is  even  a  grief  to  fee  how  you  are  fer- 
vants  to  fin,  and  inftruments  of  Satan."  See 
his  works,  p.  42,  &c. 

George  Fox,  in  an  epiftle,  writes  thus : 
Friends,   ftand  in  the  eternaf  power  of 
God,  witneffes  againft  the  pomps  and  vani- 
ties of  this  world." 

Such 


4o6  owmmm^ouR  neighbours. 


Sucli  tradefiTicn  wlio  (land  as  witnefTes 
in  the  power  of  God,  cannot  fulfil  the  peo- 
ple's minds  in  thefe  vanities,  and  therefore 
they  are  offended  at  thenuH  i  ^ 

Let  aii  trufi:  in  the  Lord,  and  wait 'pa- 
tiently on  him;  for  when  truth  firft  broke 
iorth  in  London,  many  tradefmen  could  not 
take  fo  much  money  in  their  fhops  for  fomc 
time,  as  w^ould  buy  them  bread  and  water, 
becaufe  they  withilood  the  w^orkl's  ways, 
fafliions,  and  cuftoms  ;  yet  by  their  patient 
v/aiting  on  the  Lord  in  their  good  life  and 
converiation,  they  anfwered  the  truth  in  peo- 
ple's hearts,  and  thus  their  bufinefs  ingreai- 
ed/'    Book  of  Dodlrinals,  p.  824.  inoiifi 

Now  Gliriil  our  holy  leader  gracioufly  cbn- 
tinueth  to  open  the  underftandings  of  his 
people,  and  as  circumftances  alter  from  age 
to  age,  feme  who  are  deeply  baptized  into  a 
feeling  of  the  ftate  of  things,  are  led  by  his 
lioly  Ipirit  into  exercifes  in  ibme  refpect  dif- 
ferent from  thofe  which  attended  the  faithful 
in  foregoing  ages,  and  through  the  ccnilrain- 
:higs  of  pure  love,  are  engaged  to  open  the 
feelings  they  have  to  others. 

In  faithfully  following  Chrift,  the  heart  is 
Aveaned  from  the  defire  of  riches,  and  we 
are  led  into  a  life  fo  plain  and  iimple,  that  a 
little  doth  iiriiice,  and  thus  the  v^^ay  openeth 
tci  deny  ourfelves,  under  all  the  tempting  al- 
•  lurements  of  that  gain,  which  we  know  is 
the  irain  of  unrii^hteouliiefs.  ^ 

Trie  apoftle  fpealdng  on  this  i^ubjefl;' am- 

eth, 


On  loving  our  NEIGHBOURS.  407 

4^tli  this  qiidlion  ;       What  fellowfliip  hath 

righteuiuheil)  with  unrighteouihefs  V  2  Cor. 
vi.  14.    And  again  laith^      Have  no  fellow- 

fhip  with  the  xinfruitml  works  of  darknefs^ 

but  rather  reprove  them,''  Ephef^  v.  11. 
Again,       Be  not  partaker  of  other  men's 

fins,  keep  thyi'elf  pure/'  i  Tim.  v.  22. 

Where  people  through  the  power  of  Chrifl 
are  thoroughly  fettled  in  a  right  ufe  of  things^ 
freed  from  all  unneceffary  care  and  expeace^ 
the  mind  in  this  true  refignation  is  at  liberty 
from  the  bands  gf  a  narrow  felf-intereO:,  to 
attend  from  time  to  time  on  the  movings  of 
his  fpirit  upon  us,  though  he  leads  into  that, 
through  which  our  faith  is  clofely  tried. 

The  language  of  Chrifl  is  pure,  and  to  the 
pure  in  heart,  -  this  pure  language  is  intelligi- 
ble ;  but  in  the  love  of  money,  the  mind  bet- 
ing intent  on  gain,  is  too  full  of  human  con- 
trivance to  attend  to  it. 

It  appeareth  evident,  that  fome  channels  of 
trade  are  defiled  with  unrighteoufnefs,  that 
the  minds  of  many  are  intent  on  getting 
treafures  to  fupport  a  life,  in  which  theix  ara 
many  unneceilliry  expences. 

And  I  feel  a  living  concern  attend  my 
mind,  that  under  thefe  difScukies  v/e  may 
humbly  follow  our  heavenly  fhepherd,  vmo 
gracioufly  regardeth  his  flock,  and  is  willing 
and  able  to  fupply  us  both  inwardly  and  out-i 
wardly  wicli  clean  provender,  that  hath  been 
winnowed  with  the  fhovel  and  the  fan,  where 
we  may     fow  to  ourfelves  in  righteoufnefs, 

^•^  reap 


4Q§         Lo\^iNG  p^RsIfEIGHBOURS. 

*'  reap  in  mercy^"  Hofea  x.  12.  an4  not  be 

defiled  with  the  works  of  iniquity. 

Where  cuftoms  contrary  to  pure  wifdorn 
are  tranfmitted  to  pofterity,  it  appears  to  be 
an  injury  committed  againft  them;  and  I 
often  feel  tender  compaifipn  toward  a  young 
generation,  a.nd  defires  that  their  difficulties 
may  not  be  increafed  through  unfaithfulnefs 
in  us  of  the  prefent  age. 


CHAP.  IL 

On  a  Sailor  s  Life, 

IN  the  trade  to  Africa  for  flaves,  and  in  the 
management  of  Ihips  going  on  thefe  voy- 
ages, many  of  our  lads  and  young  men  have 
a  confiderable  part  of  their  education. 

Now  what  pious  father  beholding  his  fon 
placed  in  one  of  thefe  fliips,  to  learn  the  prac- 
tice of  a  mariner,  could  forbear  mourning 
over  him  ? 

Where  youth  are  exampled  in  means  of 
getting  money,  fo  full  of  violence,  and  ufed 
to  exercife  fuch  cruelties  on  their  fello^y-crea- 
tures,  the  diiadvantage  to  them.in  their  edu- 
cation is  very  great.  • 

But  1  feel  it  ni  my  mind  to  write  concern- 
ing the  feafaring  life  in  general. 

In  the  trade  carried  on  from  the  Weft-In- 
dies, and  from  fome  parts  of  the  continent, 

the 


«t>N  A  ^WtL  O  R's  L I F  E.  4091 

the  produce  of  the  labour  of  flaves  is  a  con- 
fiderable  part.  P^'^^  l:^      -  . 

And  lailors  wK^ 'a#e''frequeri^^  at  ports 
where  flaves  abound,  and  converfe  often  with 
people  who  opprefs  them  without  the  appear-^ 
anceof  remorfe,  and  often  with  failors  employ- 
ed in  the  flave  trade,  how  powerfully  do  thefe 
evil  examples  fpread  amongft  the  feafaring 
youth  ! 

I  have  had  many  opportunities  to  feel  and 
underftand  the  general  ftate  of  the  feafaring 
life  amongft  us,  and  my  mind  hath  oftert 
been  fad  on  account  of  fo  many  lads  and 
young  men  being  trained  up  amidft  fo  great 
corruption. 

Under  the  humbling  power  of  Chrift  I 
have  feen,  that  if  the  leadings  of  his  holy 
fpirit  were  faithfully  attended  to  by  his  pro--^ 
felTed  followers  in  general,  the  heathen  nati- 
ons would  be  exampled  in  righteoufnefs.  A 
lefs  number  of  people  would  be  employed  on 
the  feas.  The  channels  of  trade  would  be 
more  free  from  ^defilement.  Fewer  people 
would  be  employed  in  vanities  and  fiiperflu- 
ities. 

The  inhabitants  of  cities  would  be  lefs  in 
number. 

Thofe  who  have  much  lands  would  become 
fathers  to  the  poor. 

More  people  would  be  employed  in  the 
f^v^eet  employment  of  huibandry,  and  in  the 
path  of  pvire  wifdom,  labour  vv^ould  be  an  a- 
greeable,  healthful  employment. 

^iim  '  la 


410    On  a  sailor's  life. 


In  the  opening  of  thefe  things  in  my  mind, 
I  feel  a  living  concern  that  we  who  have  felt 
divine  love  in  our  hearts  may  faithfully  abide 
in  it,  and  like  good  foldiers  lendure  hardnefs 
for  Chrift's  fake.         )frfw  m  ofams 

He,  our  blelTed  Saviour,  exhorting  his  fol-^ 
lowers  to  love  one  another,  add^x/b  As  I 
^'  have  loved  you/'  John  xiii.  34.     ?  - 

He  loved  Lazarus,  yet  in  his  ficknefs  did 
not  heal  him,  but  left  him  to  endure  the 
pains  of  death,  that  in  reftoring  him  to  life, 
the  people  might  be  confirmed  in  the  true 
faith. 

:  He  loved  his  difciples,  but  fent  them  forth 
on  a  melTage  attended  with  great  difficulty, 
amongil  hard-hearted  people,  iome  of  whom 
would  think  that  in  killing  them  they  did 
God  fervice. 

So  deep  is  divine  love,  that  in  ftedfailly 
abiding  in  it,  we  are  prepared  to  deny  our- 
felves  of  all  that  gain  which  is  contrary  to 
pure  wifdom,  and  to  follow  Chrift,  even  un- 
der contempt,  and  through  fufFerings. 

While  friends  were  kept  truly  humble,  and 
walked  according  to  the  purity  of  our  prin- 
ciples, the  divine  witnefs  in  many  hearts  was 
reached  ;  but  when  a  worldly  Ipirit.  got  en- 
trance, therewith  came  in  luxuries  and  fu- 
perfluities,  and  fpread  by  little  and  little, 
even  amongft  the  foremoft  rank  in  fociety, 
and  from  thence  others  took  liberty  in  that 
way  more  abundantly. 

In  the  continuation  of  thefe  things  from 
parents  to  children,  there  were  many  wants 

to 


On  A  sailor's  LIFE:  411 


to  ^fupply,  even  wants  unknown  to  friends 
while  they  faithfully  followed  Ghrift.  And 
in  flriving  to  fupply  thefe  wants  many  have 
exacted  on  the  poor,  many  have  entered  on 
employments,  in  which  they  often  labour  in 
iipholding  pride  and  vanity.  Many  have 
looked  on  one  another,  been  ftrengthened  in 
thefe  things,  one  by  the  example  of  another, 
and  as  to  the  pure  divine  feeing,  dimnefs 
hath  come  over  many,  and  the  channels  of 
true  brotherly  love  been  obftrudled. 

People  may  have  no  intention  to  opprefs, 
yet  by  entering  on  expeniive  ways  of  life, 
their  minds  may  be  fo  entangled  therein,  and 
fo  engaged  to  fupport  expeniive  cuftoms,  as 
to  be  eftranged  from  the  pure  fympathizing 
fpirit. 

As  I  have  travelled  in  England,  I  have  had 
a  tender  feeling  of  the  condition  of  poor  peo- 
ple, fome  of  whom  though  honeft  and  indu- 
ftrious,  have  nothing  to  Ipare  towai^d  paying 
for  the  fchooling  of  their  children. 

There  is  a  proportion  between  labour  and 
the  neceifaries  of  life,  and  in  true  brotherly 
love  the  mind  is  open  to  feel  after  the  necef- 
fities  of  the  poor. 

Amongft  the  poor  there  are  fome  that  are 
weak  through  age,  and  others  of  a  weakly 
nature,  who  pafs  through  itraits  in  very  pri  - 
vate life,  without  afking  relief  from  the 
pubiick. 

Such  who  are  ftrong  and  healthy  may  do 
that  bulinefs,  which  to  the  weakly  may  be 
opprefrive  j  and  in  performing  that  in  a  day 

which 


412    On  a  sailor's  life. 


which  is  efteemed  a  day's  labour,  by  weakly 
perfons  in  the  field  and  in  the  Ihops,  and  by 
weakly  women  who  fpiij  and  knit  in  the 
manufactories 5  they  often  pafs  through. wea-^ 
rinefs  ;  and  many  fighs  I  believe  are  uttered 
in  fecret,  unheard  by  fome  who  might  eafe 
their  burdens. 

Lpibour  in  the  right  medium  is  healthy ^ 
but  in  too  mucli  of  it  there  is  a  painful  wea- 
rinefs;  and  the  hardfhips  of  the  poor  are 
fometimes  increafed  through  want  of  more 
agreeable  nourifliment,  more  plentiful  fewel 
for  the  fire,  and  warmer  cloathing  in  the 
winter  than  their  wages  will  anfwer. 

AVhen  I  have  beheld  plenty  in  fome  houfes 
to  a  degree  of  luxury,  the  condition  of  poor 
children  brought  up  without  learning,  and 
the  condition  of  the  weakly  and  aged,  who 
ftrive  to  live  by  their  labour,  have  often  re- 
vived in  my  mind,  as  cafes  of  which  fome 
who  live  in  fulnefs  need  to  be  put  in  remem- 
brance. 

There  are  few,  if  any,  could  behold  their 
fellov\r- creatures  lie  long  in  diftrefs  and  for- 
bear to  help  them,  when  they  could  do  it 
Vv  ithout  any  inconvenience ;  but  cuftoms  re- 
quiring much  labour  to  fupport  them,  do 
often  lie  heavy  gn  the  poor,  while  they  who 
live  in  thefe  cuftoms  are  fb  entangled  in  a 
multitude  of  unnecelTary  concerns,  that  they 
think  but  little  of  the  hardfliips  which  the 
poor  people  go  through. 

CHAP. 


C  m^'^A   p.  IIL 

On  Jilent  Worfhip. 

t)  R.  S  H  I  P  in  filence  hath  often  been 
refrelhing  to  my  mind,  and  a  care 
attends  me  that  a  young  generation  may  feel 
the  nature  of  this  worfliip. 

Great  expence  arifeth  in  relation  to  that 
which  is  called  divine  woriliip. 

A  coniiderable  part  of  this  expence  is  ap- 
plied toward  outward  greatnefs,  and  many 
poor  people  in  railing  of  tithe,  labour  in  fup- 
porting  cuftoms  contrary  to  the  fimplicity 
that  there  is  in  Chrift,  toward  whom  my 
mind  hath  often  been  moved  with  pity. 

In  pure  filent  worfliip,  we  dwell  under  the 
holy  anointing,  and  feel  ChrifL  to  be  om"* 
Ihepherd. 

Here  the  beft  of  teachers  minifters  to  the 
feveral  conditions  of  his  flock,  and  the  foul 
receives  immediately  from  the  divine  fountain, 
that  with  which  it  is  nouriftied. 

As  I  have  travelled  at  times  where  thofe  of 
other  focieties  have  attended  our  meetings, 
and  have  perceived  how  little  feme  of  them 
knew  of  the  nature  of  filent  worlhip  ;  I  have 
felt  tender  defires  in  my  heart  that  we  who 
often  fit  filent  in  our  meetings,  may  live  an- 
fwerable  to  the  nature  of  an  inward  fellow- 
fhip  with  God,  that  no  ftuiii cling  block 
through  us,  may  be  laid  in  their  way. 


414   On  S  f  £    N  r  Wb  R  SHIP. 


Such  is  the  load  of  unneceflary  expence 
which  heth  on  that  which  is  called  divine 
fervice  in  many  places,  and  fo  much  are  the 
minds  of  many  people  employed  in  outward 
forms  and  ceremonies,  that  the  opening  o^ 
an  inward  filent  worfhip  in  this  nation  to 
me  hath  appeared  to  be  a  precious  opening* 

Within  the  laft  four  hundred  years,  many 
pious  people  have  been  deeply  exercifed  in 
foul  oh  account  of  the  fuperftition  which 
prevailed  amongft  the  profelTed  followers  of 
Chrifl,  and  in  fupport  of  their  teftimony  a- 
gainft  oppreffive  idolatry,  fome  in  feveral  ages 
have  finiihed  their  courfe  in  the  flames. 

It  appears  by  the  hiftory  of  the  reformati- 
on, that  through  the  faithfulnefs  of  the  mar- 
tyrs, the  underftandings  of  many  have  been 
opened,  and  the  minds  of  people,  from  age 
to  age,  been  more  and  more  prepared  for  a 
real  fpiritual  worfliip. 

My  mind  is  often  afFe6led  with  a  fenfe  of 
the  condition  of  thofe  people,  who  in  different 
ages  have  been  meek  and  patient,  following 
Chrifc  through  great  afBiAions  :  And  while 
I  behold  the  feveral  fteps  of  reformation,  and 
that  clearnefs,  to  which  through  divine  good- 
nefs,  it  hath  been  brought  by  our  anceftors  ; 
I  feel  tender  dehres  that  we  who  fometimes 
meet  in  filence,  may  never  by  our  conduct 
lay  Humbling- blocks  in  the  way  of  others, 
and  hinder  the  progrefs  of  the  reformation' 
in  the  world. 

It  was  a  complaint  againfl  fome  who  were 
called  the  Lord's  people,  that  tliey  brought 

polluted 


I 


On  silent  worship,  415 

polluted  bread  to  his  altar,  and  faid  the  table 
of  the  Lord  was  contemptible. 

In  real  filent  worfhip  the  foul  feeds  on  that 
which  is  divine  ;  but  we  cannot  partake  of 
the  ^able  of  the  Lord,  and  that  table  which 
is  prepared  by  the  God  of  this  world. 

If  Chrifh  is  our  fliepherd,  and  feedeth  us^ 
and  we  are  faithful  in  following  him,  o\ir 
lives  will  have  an  inviting  language,  and  tha 
table  of  the  Jord  will  not  be  polluted* 


1£- 


An  E  P  I  S  T  L  B 


/ 


[   4i6  ] 


.  A  N 

EPISTLE 

TO  THE 

QUARTERLY  and  MONTHLY 
MEETINGS   OF  Friends. 

Beloved  Friends, 

FEELING  at  this  time  a  renewed  con- 
cern that  the  pure  principle  of  light  and 
life,  and  the  righteous  fruits  thereof  may 
fpread  and  prevail  amongil  mankind,  there 
is  an  engagement  on  my  heart  to  labour  with 
my  brethren  in  religious  profeffion,  that  none 
of  may  be  a  Humbling  block  in  the  way 
of  others  ;  but  may  fb  walk  that  our  conduct 
may  reach  the  pure  witnefs  in  the  hearts  of 
fuch  who  are  not  in  profeffion  with  us. 

And,  dear  friends,  while  we  publicly  own 
that  the  holy  Spirit  is  our  leader,  the  profel- 
fion  is  in  itfelf  weighty,  and  the  weightinefs 
thereof  increafeth,  in  proportion  as  we  are 
noted  among  the  profeffors  of  truth,  and 

adlive 


An    E  P  I  S  T  L  E.  417 

aiflive  in  dealing  with  fuch  who  walk  difor- 
derly.  . -  •  ..•  - 

Many  under  our  profelTion  for  want  of  due 
attention,  and  a  perfect  relignation  to  this 
Divine  Teacher,  Imve  in  fbnie  things  mani- 
fefled  a  deviation  from  the  purity  of  our  re- 
ligious principles,  and  thefe  deviations  hav- 
ing crept  in  anxongft  us  by  little  and  little, 
and  increafing  from  lefs  to  greater,  have  been 
lb  far  unnoticed,  that  fome  living  in  them, 
kave  been  active  in  putting  difciplilie  in  prac- 
tice, with  relation  to  others,  whole  conduct 
hath  appeared  more  diHionourable  in  the 
woi^d- 

Now  as  my  mind  hath  been  exercifed  be- 
fore the  Lord,  I  have  feea,  that  the  difci- 
pline  of  the  church  of  Chriil  ftandeth  in  that 
w^hich  is  pure ;  that  it  is  the  wifdom  from 
above  which  gives  authority  to  difcipline ; 
and  that  the  weightinefs  thereof  ftandeth  not 
in  any  outvv^ard  circumftances,  but  in  the 
authority  of  Ghrift  who  is  the  author  of  it  ; 
and  where  any  walk  after  the  fleJli,  and  not 
according  to  the  purity  of  truth,  and  at  the 
fame  time  are  active  in  putting  cliicipline  in 
practice,  a  veil  is  gradually  drawn  over  the 
purity  of  difcipline,.  and  over  that  holinefs 
of  life,  which  Chrift  leads  thofe  into,  "  in 

whom  the  Iovq  of  God  is  verily  perfededj'' 
•  l.John  ii.  5. 

When  we  labour  in  true  love  with  offend- 
ers, and  they  remain  obftinate,  it  fometimes 
is  neceflary  to  proceed  as  far  as  our  Lord  di- 

E  e  .recced, 


4i8  An    E  p.  I  S  T  L  E. 


recftcd,      Let  him  be  to  thee  as  an  heathen 
man,  or  a  publican/^  Mat.  xviii.  17. 

Now  when  flich  are  difow^ned,  and  they 
who  a6l  therein  feel  Ghrift  made  unto  them  ^ 
wifdom,  and  are  preferved  in  his  meek,  re- 
ftoring  fpirit,  there  is  no  juft  caule  of  offence 
miniflred  to  anyj  but  when  fuch  who  are 
adlive  in  deahng  with  offenders  indulge  them- 
felves  in  things  which  are  contrary  to  the 
purity  of  truth,  and  yet  judge  others  whofe 
condiidl  appears  more  difhonourable  than 
their  s,  here  the  pure  authority  of  difcipline 
ceafetli  as  to  fuch  offenders,  and  a  temptati- 
on is  laid  in  their  way  to  wrangle  and  con- 
tend        J^dg"  not,''  find  our  Lord,  that 

ye  be  not  judged.'^  Now  this  forbidding, 
alludes  to  man's  judgment,  and  points  out 
the  neceffity  of  our  humbly  attending  to  that 
fandlifying  power  under  which  the  faithful 
experience  the  Lord  to  be     a  fpirit  of  judg- 

ment  to  them,''  Ifa.  xxviii.  6.  And  as  we 
feel  his  Holy  Spirit  to  mortify  the  deeds  of 
the  body  in  us,  and  can  fay,  it  is  no  more 
^'  I  that  hve,  but  Ghrift  that  liveth  in  me," 
here  right  judgment  is  known. 

And  while  divine  love  prevails  in  our 
hearts,  and  felf  in  us  is  brought  under  judg- 
ment, a  preparation  is  felt  to  labour  in  a 
right  manner  with  offenders  ;  but  it  we  a- 
bide  not  in  this  love,  our  outv^ard  perform- 
ance in  dealing  with  Others,  degenerates  into 
formality ;  for  ^'  this  is  the  love  of  God,  that 

wc  keep  his  commandments,"  John  i.  3. 

How 


An    epistle.  419 

How  weighty  are  thofe  inftni6llons  of  our 
Redeemer  concerning  religious  duties,  when 
he  points  out,  that  they  who  pray,  fliould  be 
fo  obedient  to  the  teachings  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit, that  humbly  confiding  in  his  help,  they 
may  fay,  ^'  Thy  name  O  Father  be  hallowed ! 
Thy  kingdom  come  ;  thy  will  be  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven  i'^- — —In  this  aw- 
ful ftate  of  mind  is  felt  that  worfhip  w^hich 
flands  in  doing  the  will  of  God,  on  earth,  as 
it  is  done  in  heaven,  and  keeping  the  holy 
Name  facred.   To  take  a  holy  profelfion  upou 
us  is  awful,  nor  can  we  keep  this  holy  Name 
facred,  but  by  humbly  abiding  under  thq 
crofs  of  Ghrift.     The  apoflle  made  a  heavy 
complaint  againft  fome  who  prophaned  this 
holy  Name  by  their  manner  of  living,  thro' 
you,''  he  fays,     the  name  of  God  is  blaf-^ 
phemed  amongft  the  Gentiles,"  Rom.  ii.  24* 
Some  of  our  anceftors  through  many  tri- 
bulations were  gathered  into  the  ftate  of  true 
worfliippers,    and  had  fellowfhip  in  that 
which  is  pure,    and  as  one  was  inwardly 
moved  to  kneel  down  in  their  affemblies,  and. 
publicly  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  thofe 
in  the  harmony  of  united  exercife  then  prc- 
fent,  joined  in  the  prayer  ;  I  mention  this  in 
order  that  we  of  the  prefent  age,  may  look 
unto  the  Rock  from  w^hence  we  were  hewn,' 
and  remember  that  to  unite  in  worfhip,  is  a 
union  in  prayer,  and  that  prayer  acceptable, 
to  the  Father  is  only  in  a  mind  truly  fandli- 
fied,  where  the  facred  name  is  kept  holy,  and 
the  heart  refigned  to  do  his  will  on  earth  as, 


420.         A  n    E  P  I  S  T  L  E. 


it  is  done  in  heaven,  If  ye  abide  in  I'ne/^ 
faith  Chrifl,       and  my  words  abide  in  you,^ 

ye  fhall  aflc  what  ye  will  in  my  name^ 

and  it  ihali  be  done  unto  you." — Now  we 
know  not  what  to  pray  for  as  we  ought,  but 
as  the  Eloly  Spirit  doth  open  and  dire6t  oiu^ 
minds,  and  as  we  faithfully  yield  to  its  in- 
fluences, our  prayers  are  in  the  will  of  our 
heavenly  Father,  v/ho  fails  not  to  g]?ant  that 
which  his  own  fpirit,  through  his  children, 
aflcetli  thus  prefervation  from  iin  is  known, 
and  the  fruits  of  righteoufnefs  are  bi^ought 
forth  by  fuch  who  inwardly  unite  in  prayer. 

EIow  weighty  are  our  folemn  ineetings 
when  the  name  of  Chriit  is  kept  holy  ? 

"  EIow  precious  is  that  ftate  in  which  the 
children  of  the  Lord  are  fo  redeemed  from 
the  love  of  this  world,  that  they  are  accepted 
and  bleffed  in  all  that  they  do."  R.  Barclay's 
Apology,  p.  404. 

How  neceifary  is  it  that  we  who  profefs 
thefe  principles,  and  are  outwardly  acSlive  in 
fupporting  them,  fliould  faithfully  abide  in 
divine  ftrength,  that  "  A.s  He  who  hath  call- 

ed  us,  is  holy,  fo  we  may  be  holy  in  all 

manner  of  converfation."  i  Pet.  i.  15. 

If  one  profelling  to  be  influenced  by  the 
fpirit  of  Chrift,  propofeth  to  unite  in  a  labour 
to  promote  righteoufnefs  in  the  earth,  and 
in  time  paft  he  hath  manifeftly  deviated  from, 
the  path  of  equity,  then  to  acl  conliflent  with 
this  principle,  his  firft  work  is  to  make  refti- 
tution  fo  far  as  he  may  be  enabled  ;  for  if  he 
j^ttempts  to  contribute  tov/ard  a  work  intend-- 

ed 


An  epistle. 


fed  to  promote  righteoufnefs,  while  it  appears 
that  he  negledieth,  or  refvifeth  to  acl  righte- 
Diifly  himfelf,  his  condiicl  has  a  tendency  to 
entangle  the  minds  of  thofe  who  are  weak  in 
the  faith,  who  behold  thefe  things,  and  to 
draw  a  veil  bver  the  purity  of  righteoufnefs^ 
by  carrying  an  appearance  as  though  that 
was  righteoufnefs  which  is  not. 

Again,  if  I  propofe  to  affift  ill  fupporting 
thofe  dodlrines  wherein  that  purity  of  life  is 
held  forth,  in  w^hich  cuftoms  proceeding  from 
the  fpirit  of  this  world  have  no  place,  and 
at  the  fame  time  ftrengthen  others  in  thofe 
cuftorns  by  my  example  ;  the  firft  ftep  then 
in  an  orderly  proceeding,  is  to  ceafe  from 
thofe  cuftoms  myfelf,  and  afterwards  to  la- 
bour, as  I  may  be  enabled,  to  promote  the 
like  difpofition  and  condu(£l  in  others. 

To  be  convinced  of  the  pure  principle  of 
truth,  and  diligently  exercifed  in  walking 
anfwerable  thereto,  is  neceffary  before  I  caii 
confiftenrly  recommend  this  principle  to  o- 
thers.— I  often  feel  a  labour  in  fpirit,  thad 
we  who  are  adlive  members  in  religious  fo- 
ciety  may  experience  in  ourlelves  the  truth 
of  thofe  expreffions  of  the  Holy  Oiie — I 

will  be  fandlified  in  them  that  come  nigh 

me.''  Lev.  x.  3-— in  this  cafe,  my  mind 
hath  been  often  exercifed  when  alone,  year 
after  year,  for  many  years,  and  in  the  re- 
newings  of  divine  love,  a  tender  care  hath 
been  incited  in  me,  that  v/e  who  profefs  the 
inward  principle  of  light  to  be  our  teacher, 
may  be  a  fi^mily  united  in  that  purity  of 

worlliip^ 

i 


An  epistle. 


worfhip,  which  comprehends  a  holy  life,  and 
minifters  inftrudlion  to  others. 

My  mind  is  often  drawn  towards  children 
in  the  truth,  who  having  a  fmall  fhare  of  the 
things  of  this  life,  and  coming  to  have  fa- 
milies may  be  inwardly  exercifed  before  the 
Lord  to  fupport  them  in  a  way  agreeable  to 
the  purity  of  truth,  in  which  ehey  may  feel 
his  bleffing  upon  them  in  their  labours  ;  the 
thoughts  of  fuch  being  entangled  with  cuf- 
toms  (contrary  to  pure  wifdom)  conveyed  to 
them  through  our  hands,  doth  often  very 
tenderly  and  movingly  afFedl  my  heart,  and 
when  I  look  towards  and  think  on  the  fuc- 
ceeding  generation,  fervent  defires  are  raifed 
in  me,  that  we  by  yielding  to  that  Holy  Spi- 
rit which  leads  into  all  truth,  may  not  do 
the  work  of  the  Lord  deceitfully,  may  not 
live  contrary  to  the  purity  of  the  divine  prin- 
ciple we  profefs  ;  but  that  as  faithful  labour- 
ers in  our  age,  we  may  be  inftrumental  in 
removing  ftumbling  blocks  out  of  the  way  of 
thofe  who  may  fucceed  us. 

So  great  was  the  love  of  Chrift,  that  he 
gave  himfelf  for  the  church,      that  he  might 
fancftify  and  cleanfe  it,  that  it  fhould  be 
holy,  and  without  blemifli,   not  having 
fpot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  fuch  thing,"  Eph. 
V.  25.   and  where  any  take  the  name  of 
Chriil  upon  them,  profelTmg  to  be  members 
of  his  church,  and  led  by  his  Holy  Spirit, 
and  yet  iiianifeftly  deviate  from  the  purity 
of  truth,  they  herein  adl  againft  the  gracious 
defign  of  his  giving  himfelf  foi*  them,  and 

iftinifler 


An    E     I  S  T  L  E. 


ttliiiifter  cavife  for  the  continuance  of  his  af- 
flidlionSj  viz.  in  his  body  the  church* 

Chrift  fufFered  afflidiions  in  a  body  of  flelh 
prepared  by  the  father,  but  the  afflidions  of 
his  myftical  body  are  yet  unfinifhed  ;  for 
they  who  are  baptized  into  Chrift  are  bap- 
tized into  his  death,  and  as  Vv^e  humbly  abide 
under  his  fandlifying  power,  and  are  brought 
forth  into  newnefs  of  hfe,  we  feel  Chrift  to 
live  in  us,  who  being  the  fame  yefterday^ 
to-day,  and  forever,   and  always  at  unity 
with  himfelf,  his  fpirit  in  the  hearts  of  his 
people  leads  to  an  inward  exercife  for  the  fal-* 
vation  of  mankind  ;  and  when  under  a  tra- 
vail of  fpirit,  we  behold  a  viftted  people  en- 
tangled by  the  fpirit  of  this  world  with  its 
wickednefs  and  cuftoms,  and  thereby  ren- 
dered incapable  of  being  faithful  examples  to 
others,  forrow  and  heavinefs  under  a  fenfe 
of  thefe  things,   is  often  experienced,  and 
thus  in  fome  meafure  is  filled  up  that  which 
remains  of  the  affli6lions  of  Chrift. 

Our  blefled  Saviour  fpeaking  concerning 
gifts  offered  in  divine  lervice,    fays,  If 
thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and  there 
remembereft  that  thy  brother  hath  ought 
againft  thee^  leave  there  thy  gift  before  the 
altar,  and  go  thy  way,  firft  be  reconcile 
ed  to  thy  brother,    and  then  come  and 
offer  thy  gift/'  Mat.  v.  23,  24.— Now 
there  is  no  true  unity,  but  in  that  wherein 
the  Father  and  the  Son  are  united,  nor  can 
there  be  a  perfedl  reconciliation  but  in  ceafing 
from  that  which  miniftcrs  caufe  for  the  con- 
tinuation 


4^4         An    E  P  I  S  T  L  E. 


tinuation  of  the  affliclions  of  Chrift  ;  and  if 
any  profefTmg  to  bring  their  gift  to  the  altar, 
do  remember  the  cuflomary  contradiclion 
which  fome  of  their  fruits  bear  to  the  pm^e, 
Ipiritual  worlhip,  here  it  appears  neceiTary  to 
lay  to  heart  this  command,  leave  thy  gift 
by  the  altar." 

Chrill  gracioufl)^  calls  his  people  brethren, 
^'  whofoever  ihall  do  the  will  of  God  the  fame 

is  my  brother."  Mark  iii.  35.  Now  if  we 
walk  contrary  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus 
while  we  continue  to  profefs  it,  we  offend 
againft  Chrift,  and  if  under  this  offence  we 
bring  our  gift  to  the  altar,  our  Redeemer 
doth  not  direct  us  to  take  back  our  gift,  he 
doth  not  difcourage  our  proceeding  in  a  good 
work  ;  but  gracioufly  points  out  the  neceffa- 
xy  means  by  which  the  gift  may  be  rendered 
iicceptable,      leave,"  faith  he,      thy  gift  by 

the  altar,  firfl  go  and  be  reconciled  to  thy 
*^  brother,"  ceafe  from  that  w^hich  grieves 
the  Holy  Spirit,  ccafe  from  that  which  is  a- 
l^ainfc  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jcfus,  and  then 
come,  and  oiler  thy  gift. 

I  feel,  while  I  am  writing,  a  tendernefs  to 
thole  vv^ho  through  divine  favour,  are  pre- 
lervcd  in  a  lively  fenfe  of  the  ftate  of  the 
churches,  and  at  times  may  be  under  dil-' 
jcouragements  with  regard  to  proceeding  iu 
that  pure  v/ay  w^hicli  Chrift  by  his  Holy  Spi- 
rit leads  into  :  the  depth  of  diforder  and 
weaknefs,  which  £0  much  prevails,  being  o- 
pened,  doubtings  arc  apt  to  arife  as  to  the 
poilibility  of  proceeding  as  an  affembly  of 


An   E  P  I  S  T  L  425 

the  Lord's  people  in  the  pure  counfel  of  truth ; 
and  here  I  feel  a  concern  to  exprefs  in  up- 
rightnefs,  that  which  hath  been  opened  in 
my  mind,  under  the  power  of  the  crofs  of 
Chrift,  relating  to  a  vifible  gathered  church^v 
the  members  whereof  are  guided  by  the  Holy 
Spirit. 

The  church  is  called  the  body  of  Chriftj^ 
Col.  i.  25. 

Chrift  is  called  the  head  of  the  churchy 
Eph.  i.  22. 

The  church  is  called  the  pillar,  and  ground 
of  truth,  1  Tim.  iii.  1 5. 

Thus  the  church  hath  a  name  that  is  fa- 
cred,  and  the  neceffity  of  keeping  this  nama 
holy,  appears  evident ;  for  where  a  number 
of  people  unite  in  a  profeffion  of  being  led  by 
the  fpirit  of  Chrift,  and  publiili  their  prin- 
ciples to  the  world,  the  a(!Jls  and  proceedings 
of  that  people  may  in  fome  meafure  be  con- 
lidered  as  fiich  which  Chrift  is  the  author  of. 
.  Now  while  we  ftand  in  this  ftation,  if  the 
pure  light  of  life  is  not  followed  and  regard- 
ed in  our  proceedings,  we  are  in  the  way  of 
prophaning  the  holy  Name,  and  of  goii^g 
back  toward  that  wildernefs  of  fuiferings  and 
perfecution,  out  of  which,  through  the  tendqfr, 
mercies  of  God,  a  church  hath  been  gatherj 
ed  ;  Chrift  liveth  in  fandified  veffeis,"  Gal 
ii.  20.  and  where  they  behold  his  holy  Name 
profaned^  and  the  pure  golbel  light  eclipled 
through  die  unfaithfulne :s  of  any  who  by 
their  ftation  appear  to  be  ftandafd  bearers 
under  the  Prince  of  Peace,  tne  living  mem- 
bers 


42^         An  epistle. 

bers  in  the  body  of  Chrifl  in  beholding  tliefe 
things,  do  in  fonie  degree  experience  the  fel- 
lowfhip  of  his  fufFerings,  and  as  the  wifdom 
of  the  world  more  and  more  takes  place  in 
condudling  the  affairs  of  this  vifible  gathered 
church,  and  the  pure  leadings  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  are  lefs  waited  for  and  followed,  fo  the 
trvie  fuffering  feed  is  more  and  more  oppref- 
fed. 

^  My  mind  is  often  afFeddd  with  a  fenfe  of 
the  condition  of  fincere  hearted  people  in  fome 
kingdoms^  where  liberty  of  confcience  is  not 
allowed,  many  of  whom  being  burthened  in 
their  minds  with  prevailing  fuperftition,  join- 
ed with  oppreffions,  are  often  under  forrovvr ; 
and  where  fuch  have  attended  to  that  pure 
light  which  hath  in  fome  degree  opened  their 
tinderflandings,  and  for  their  faithfulnefs 
thereto,  have  been  brought  to  examination 
and  trial,  how  heavy  are  the  periecutions 
which  in  divers  parts  of  the  world  are  exer- 
cifed  upon  them  ?  How  mighty,  as  to  the 
outward,  is  that  power  by  which  they  are 
borne  dov/n  and  opprefTed  ? 

How  deeply  affeding  is  the  condition  of 
many  upright  hearted  people  who  are  taken 
into  the  papal  inquifition  ?  What  lamentable 
cruelties,  in  deep  vaults,  in  a  private  way, 
are  exercifed  on  manv  of  them  ?  and  how 
iingering  is  that  death  by  a  fmall  flow  fire, 
which  they  have  frecjuently  inciured,  who 
have  been  faithful  to  the  end  ? 

How  many  tender-fpirited  proteftants  have 
been  fentenced  to  fpend  the  remainder  of  their 

lives 


An  Epistle.  427 


lives  in  a  galley  chained  to  oars,  under  hard-^ 
hearted  mafters,  while  their  young  children 
are  placed  out  for  education,  and  taught 
principles  fo  contrary  to  the  confciences  of  the 
parents,  that  by  dilTenting  from  them,  they 
have  hazarded  their  liberty,  lives,  and  all 
that  v^as  dear  to  them  of  the  things  of  this 
world  ? 

There  have  been  in  time  paft  fevere  perfe-* 
cutions  under  the  Englifh  government^  and 
many  fincere  -  hearted  people  have  fufFered 
death  for  the  teftimony  of  a  good  confcience^ 
wdiofe  faithfulnefs  in  their  day  hath  miniftred 
encouragement  to  others,  and  been  a  bleffing 
to  many  who  have  fucceeded  them ;  thus  from 
age  to  age,  the  darknefs  being  more  and  more 
removed,  a  channel  at  length,  through  the 
tender  mercies  of  God,  hath  been  opened  for 
the  exercife  of  the  pure  gift  of  the  gofpel  mi- 
niftry,  without  interruption  from  outward  ' 
power^  a  work,  the  like  of  which  is  rare,  and 
unknown  in  many  parts  of  the  v/orld. 

As  thefe  things  are  often  frelh  in  my  mind^ 
and  this  great  work  of  God  going  on  in  the 
earth  has  been  open  before  me,  that  liberty 
of  confcienee  with  which  we  are  favoured, 
hath  appeared  not  as  a  light  matter. 

A  truil  is  committed  to  us,  a  great  and 
weighty  truft,  to  v/hich  our  diligent  attenti-- 
on  is  necefTary  :  v/herever  the  adlive  members 
of  this  viiible  gathered  church  ufe  themfelves 
to  that  which  is  contrary  to  the  purity  of  our 
principles,  it  appears  to  be  a  breach  of  this 
truft,  and  one  ftep  back  toward  the  wilder- 

aefs, 


42§         An    E  P  t^f  L  E, 


nefs,  one  ftep  towards  undoing  what  God  iii 
infinite  love  hath  done  through  his  faithful 
fervants,  in  a  work  of  feveral  ages,  and  is  like 
laying  the  foundation  for  future  fufFer- 

I  feel  a  living  invitation  m  my  mind  to 
fuch  who  are  a(5live  in  our  religious  fociety, 
that  we  may  lay  to  heart  this  matter,  and 
confider  the  flation  in  which  we  ftand  ;  a 
place  of  outward  liberty  imder  the  free  exer- 
cife  of  our  confcience  towards  God,  not  ob- 
tained but  through  great  and  manifold  afllic- 
tions  of  thofe  who  lived  before  us.  There  is 
gratitude  due  from  us  to  our  heavenly  Fa- 
ther, and  juftice  to  our  pofterity  ;  can  our 
hearts  endure,  or  our  hands  be  ftrong,  if  we 
defert  a  caufe  fo  precious,  if  we  turn  afide 
from  a  work  under  which  fo  many  have  pa- 
tiently laboured  ? 

May  the  deep  fufferings  of  our  Saviour  be 
fo  dear  to  us,  that  we  may  never  trample  un- 
der foot  the  adorable  Son  of  God,  nor  count 
the  blood  of  the  covenant  unholy  ! 

May  the  faithfulnefs  of  the  martyrs  when 
the  profpe6l  of  death  by  fire  was  before  them, 
be  remembered  !  and  may  the  patient  con- 
ftant  fufferings  of  the  upriglit-hearted  fer- 
vants of  God  in  latter  ages  be  revived  in  our 
minds  !  and  may  vsfQ  fo  follow  on  to  know 
the  Lord,  that  neither  the  faithful  in  this 
age,  nor  thofe  in  ages  to  come,  may  ever  be 
brought  under  fuffering,  through  our  Hiding 
back  from  the  work  of  reformation  in  the 
w^orld  ! 

While 


An  epistle. 


While  the  adlive  members  in  the  vifible 
gathered  church  (land  upriglit,  and  the  af- 
fairs thereof  are  carried  on  under  the  leadings 
of  the  Eloly  Spirit,  altho'  dilbrders  may  arife 
among  us,  and  caufe  many  exerciles  to  thofe 
who  feel  the  care  of  the  churches  upon  them  ; 
yet  while  thefe  continue  under  the  weight  of 
the  work,  and  labour  in  the  meeknefs  of  wif- 
dom  for  the  help  of  others,  the  name  of 
Chrilt  in  the  vifible  gathered  church  may  be 
kept  facred ;  but  while  they  who  are  Ptcftive 
in  the  rtffairs  of  this  church,  continue  in  a 
manifeft  oppolition  to  the  pinity  of  our  prin- 
ciples, this  as  the  prophet  Ifaiah  x.  i8.  ex- 
prelTeth  it,  is  like  ^'  as  when  a  ftaQdard  bear- 
^'  er  fainteth  and  thus  the  way  opens  to 
great,  and  prevailing  degeneracy,  and  to 
liifferings  for  fuch  who  through  the  pov/er  of 
divine  love,  are  fcparated  to  the  gofp&4  of 
Chrift,  and  cannot  unite  with  any  thing 
which  Hands  in  oppolition  to  the  purity  of  it. 

The  neceility  of  an  inward  ftilinefs,  hath 
under  thefe  exercifes  appeared  clear  to  my 
mind ;  in  true  filence  ftrength  is  renewed, 
the  mind  herein  is  weaned  from  all  things, 
but  as  they  may  be  enjoyed  in  the  divme 
will,  and  a  lowlinefs  in  outward  living  op- 
polite  to  worldly  honour,  becomes  truly  ac- 
ceptable to  us  ; — in  the  delire  after  outward 
gain,  the  mind  is  prevented  from  a  perfect 
attention  to  the  voice  of  Chrilt ;  but  being- 
weaned  from  all  things,  but  as  they  may  be 
enjoyed  in  the  divine  will,  the  pure  light 
Ihincs  into  the  foul :  and  where  the  fruits  of 

that 


430  A  N    E  P  I  S  T  L  E. 


that  fpirit  which  is  of  this  world,  are  brought 
forth  by  many  who  profefs  to  be  led  by  the 
fpirit  of  truth,  and  cloudinefs  is  felt  to  be 
gathering  over  the  vifible  gathered  church, 
the  fiiicere  in  heart  who  abide  in  true  ftillnefs, 
and  are  exerciled  therein  before  the  Lord  for 
his  name  fake,  have  a  knowledge  of  Chrift 
in  the  fellowfliip  of  his  fufferings,  and  in- 
ward thankfulnefs  is  felt  at  times,  that  thro' 
divine  love  our  own  wifdom  is  caft  out,  and 
that  forward  adlive  part  in  us  fiibjec^Jted, 
which  v/ould  rife  and  do  fomething  in  the 
vifible  gathered  church,  without  the  pure 
leadings  of  the  Spirit  of  ChriPc. 

While  aught  remains  ill  us  different  from 
a  perfedl  refignation  of  our  wills,  it  is  like  a 
feal  to  a  book  wherein  is  written     that  good, 

and  acceptable,  and  perfec?c  will  of  God 
^'  concerning  us,'^  Rom.  xii.  2.  but  when 
our  minds  entirely  yield  to  Chrift,  that 
filence  is  known,  which  followeth  the  open- 
ing of  the  laft  of  the  feals.  Rev.  viii.  i.  in 
this  lilence  we  learn  abiding  in  the  divine 
will,  and  there  feel,  that  we  have  no  cauld 
to  promote  but  that  only  in  which  the  light 
of  life  diredls  us  in  our  proceedings,  and  that 
the  alone  vv^ay  to  be  ufeful  in  the  church  of 
Chrift,  is  to  abide  faithfully  under  the  lead- 
ings of  his  Holy  Spirit  in  ail  cafes,  and  being 
preferved  thereby  in  purity  of  heart,  and  ho- 
linefs  of  converfation,  a  tcftimony  to  the  pu- 
rity of  his  government  may  b^  held  forth 
through  us,  to  others. 

As 


An    E  P  I  S  T  L  E.  431 

As  my  mind  hath  been  thus  exercifed,  I 
have  feen  that  to  be  adive,  and  bufy  in  the 
vifible  gathered  church,  without  the  leadings 
pf  the  Holy  Spirit  is  not  only  unprofitable, 
but  tends  to  increafe  dimnefs,  and  where 
way  is  not  opened  to  proceed  in  the  light  of 
truth,  a  flop  is  felt  by  thofe  who  humbly  at- 
tend to  the  Divine  Leader,  a  flop  which  in, 
relatipn  to  good  order  in  the  vifible  gath'ered 
church,  is  of  the  greateft  confequence  to  be 
obferved  ;  thus  Robert  Barclay  in  his  treatife 
on  difcipline  holds  forth,  page  65.  68.  8z|.. 
■ '  That  the  judgment  or  conclufion  of  the 
church  or  congregation,  is  no  further  effec-- 
tual  as  to  the  true  end  and  defign  thereof, 
but  as  fuch  judgment  or  conclufion  proceeds 
from  the  Spirit  of  God  operating  on  their 
minds  who  are  fan6lified  in  Chrift  Jefus/' 

Now  in  this  Hop  I  have  learned  the  necel^ 
fity  of  waiting  on  the  Lord  in  humility,  that 
the  works  of  all  may  be  brought  to  lights 
and  thofe  to  judgment  which  are  wrought  in 
the  wifdom  of  this  world,  and  have  alfo 
feen,  that  in  a  mind  thoroughly  fubjecled  to 
the  power  of  the  crofs,  there  is  a  favour  of 
life  to  be  felt,  which  evidently  tends  to  ga- 
ther fouls  to  God,  while  the  greateft  works 
in  the  vifible  gathered  church  brought  fortl^ 
in  man's  wifdom,  remain  to  be  unprofitable. 

Where  people  are  divinely  gathered  into  a 
holy  feilowfliip,  and  faithfully  abide  under 
the  influence  of  that  Spirit  which  leads  into 
all  truth,  "  they  are  the  light  of  the  world," 
Mat.  V,  14,    Now  holding  this  profcifion,  to 

ine 


432  An  epistle. 

me  hath  appeared  weighty,    even  beyond- 
wliat  I  can  fully  exprefs,  and  what  our  blef- 
fed  Lord  feemed  to  have  in  view,  when  he 
propofed  the  neceffity  of'  counting  the  coft, 
before  vv^e  begin  to  build. 

I  truft  there  are  many  who  at  times,  under 
divine  viiitation,  feel  an  invv^ard  enquiry  af- 
ter God,  and  when  fuch  in  the  limplicity  of 
their  hearts  m:iiic  the  lives  of  a  people  who 
profefs  to  walk  by  the  leadings  of  his  Spirit, 
of  what  great  concernment  is  it  that  our 
lights- fiiine  clear,  that  nothing  of  our  con- 
dud  carry  a  contradiction ,  to  the  truth  as  it 
is  Jdiis.,  or  be  a  means  of  profaning  his 
holy  Name^  and  be  a  ftumbling  block  in  the 
way  of  thciie  fincere  enquirers. 

When  ■  fuch  feekers  who  w^earicd  with 
empty  forms,  look  tovv^ards  uniting  with  us 
as  a  people,  and  behold  adlive  members  a- 
mong  us  depart  in  their  cuitomarv  way  of 
living,  from  that  purity  of  life,  winch  under 
Iiumblinj^  exercifes  hath  been  onened  before 
them,  as  the  w^ay  of  the  Lord's  people,  how 
mournful  and  difcouraging  is  the  jjrofpec!:  ! 
and  how  ftrongly  doth  fuch  unfaithfulneis 
operate  againft  the  fpreading  of  the  peaceable, 
harmonious  principle  and  teftimony  of  truth 
amongfl  mankind  ? 

In  entering  into  that  life,  which  is  hid 
with  Chriil  in  God,  we  behold  his  peaceable 
government,  where  the  whole  family  are  go- 
verned by  the  fime  fpirit,  and  the  doing 
^'  to  others  as  Vv-e  would  they  Ihould  do  un- 

to  us/'  groweth  up  as  good  fruit  from  a 

good 


An    epistle.  433 

good  tree,  the  peace,  qiiietnefs,  and  harmo- 
nious v^alking  in  this  government  is  beheld 
with  humble  reverence  to  him  who  is  the 
author  of  it,  and  in  partaking  of  the  Spirit 
of  Chrift,  we  partake  of  that  which  labours, 
and  fuiTers  for  the  infcreafe  of  this  peaceable 
government  among  the  inhabitants  of  the 
world  ;  and  I  have  felt  a  labour  of  long  con- 
tinuance that  we  Vvho  profefs  this  peaceable 
principle,  may  be  faithful  ftandard  bearers 
under  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  that  nothing 
of  a  defiling  nature,  tending  to  difcord  and 
wars,  mav  remain  anion o;  us. 

May  each  of  us  query  with  qurfelves,  Have 
the  treafures  i  poilefs,  been  gathered  in  that 
wifdom  v^liich  is  from  above,  fo  far  as  hatlx 
appeared  to  me  ? 

Have  none  of  my  fellow-creatures  an  equi-^ 
table  right  to  any  part  which  is  called  mine  ? 

Have  the  gifts,  and  poffeffions  received  by 
inc  from  others  been  conveyed  in  a  way  free 
from  all  mirighteoufnefs  fo  far  as  I  have 
feen  ? 

The  principle  of  peace  in  vfhich  our  truft 
is  only  on  the  Lord,  and  our  minds  weaned 
from  a  dependance  on  the  ftrength  of  armies, 
hath  appeared  to  me  very  precious,  and  I 
often  feel  ftrong  denrcs,  that  we  who  pro- 
fefs this  principle,  may  fo  walk,  as  to  give 
jull  caufe  for  none  of  our  fcllovv^-creatures  to 
be  offended  at  us  ;  tliat  our  lives  may  evi- 
dently manifefl,  that  wc  are  redeemed  from 
that  fpirit  in  Vvhich  wars  are:  our  bleffed 
Saviour  in  pointing  out  the  danger  of  fo 

F  f  leaning 


434  A^'ETFISTLE. 


leaning  on  man,  as  to  negled  the  leadings  of 
his  Holy  Spirit,  laid,  "  Call  no  man  your 
*'  father  upon  the  earth ;  for  one  is  your  fa- 
*-  ther  which  is  in  heaven,"  Mat.  xxiii.  9. 
where  the  wifdom  from  above  is  faithfully; 
followed,  and  therein  we  are  entrufted  with 
fubftance,  it  is  a  treafure  committed,  to  ouf 
care  in  the  nature  of  an  inheritance,  as  aii 
inheritance  from  him,  who  formed,  and  fup-? 
ports  the  world.  Now  in  this  condition  the 
true  enjoy  ment  of  the  good  things  of  this  hfe 
is  underftood,  and  that  blelhng  felt,  in  which 
is  real  fafety  ;  this  is  what  I  apprehend  our 
bleffed  Lord  had  in  view,  when  he  pronounc- 
ed, Bleffed  are  the  meek,  for  they  lliall  in-» 
herit  the  earth." 

Selfilli  worldly  minded  men  may  hold  lands 
in  the  felfifli  fpirit,  and  depending  on  the 
llrength  of  the  outward  pow^er,  be  perplexed 
with  fecret  uneafinefs,  left  the  injured  iliould 
Ibmetime  overpower  them,  and  that  meafure 
meted  to  them,  which  they  meafure  to  others* 
— -Thus  leliiih  men  may  poiTefs  the  earth  ; 
but  it  is  tlie  meek  who  inherit  it,  and  enjoy 
it  as  an  inheritance  from  the  heavenly  Fa- 
t;Jier,  free  from  all  the  defilements  and  per-* 
plexities  of  unrigliteoufnefs. 

Where  proceedings  have  been  in  that  wif- 
dom vv^hich  is  from  beneath,  and  inequitable 
gain  gathered  by  a  man,  and  left  as  a  gift 
to  his  children,  who  being  entangled  by  the 
lame  worldly  fpirit,  have  not  attained  to  that 
clearnefs  of  light  in  which  the  channels  of 
rigliteoufiiefs  are  opened^  and  juftice  done  ta 

thofc 


A  n    E  P  I  S  T  L  E.- 


435 


tlxofe  vrho  remain  filent  under  injuries  :  here 
I  have  ieen  under  humbhng  exercife  of  mind, 
that  the  fms  of  the  fathers  are  embraced  by 
the  children,  and  become  their  fms,  ?.nd  thus 
in  the  days  of  tribulation,  the  iniquities  of 
the  fathers  are  vifited  upon  thefe  children, 
who  take  hold  of  the  unrighteoufiiefs  of  their 
fathers,  and  live  in  that  fpirit  in  which  thofe 
iniquities  v/ere  committed  ;  to  which  agreeth 
the  prophecy  of  Mofes,  concerning  a  rebel- 
Jious  people.    "  They  that  are  left  of  you 

fhail  pine  away  in  their  iniquities,  in  your 

enemy's  land,  and  in  the  iniquities  of  their 

fathers  fhall  they  pine  away/'  Lev.  xxvi.  39. 
and  our  bleiTed  Lord  in  beholding  the  hard- 
nefs  of  heart  in  that  generation,  and  feeling 
in  himfelf,  that  they  lived  in  the  fame  fpirit 
in  which  the  prophets  had  been  perfecuted 
unto  death,  fignified,  ^'  that  the  blood  of  all 
^'  the  prophets  which  was  flied  from  the 

foundation  of  the  v/orld,  iliould  be  requir- 
^'  ed  of  that  generation,  from  the  blood  of 
^VAbel,  unto  the  blood  ofZacharias,  which 

periflied  between  the  altar  and  the  temple,'' 
Luke  xi,  51. 

Tender  compaffion  fills  my  heart  toward 
my  fellow  creatures  eftrangeci  from  the  har- 
monious government  of  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
and  a  labour  attends  me,  that  they  may  be 
gathered  to  this  peaceable  habitation. 

In  being  inwardly  prepared  to  fuifer  adver- 
lity  for  Chrifi's  fake,  and  weaned  from  a  de- 
pendance  on  the  arm  of  fieili,  w^e  feel,  that 
there  is  a  reft  for  the  people  of  God,  and 

that 


f 


435         An  epistle. 

that  it  ftands  in  a  perfecft  reiignation  of  oiir- 
lelves  to  his  holy  Will ;  in  this  condition, 
all  our  wants  and  defires  are  bounded  by  pure 
Viidom,  and  our  minds  wholly  attentive  to 
the  council  of  Chrift  inwardly  communicated, 
which  hath  appeared  to  me  as  a  habitation 
of  fafety  for  the  Lord's  people,  in  times  of 
outward  commotion  and  trouble,  and  defires 
from  the  fountain  of  pure  love,  are  opened 
in  me,  to  invite  iny  brethren  and  fellow 
creatures  to  feel  for,  and  feek  after  that 
v/hich  q-athers  the  mind  into  it. 


Mount' 
4 


^'^^t^!^        JOHN- WOOLMAN. 


FINIS. 


4. 


